Although it has taken some time, we are seeing a steady increase in the number of concurrent defamation actions being brought in the separate jurisdictions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Following the 1995 decision in Shevill v Presse – Alliance SA, a plaintiff cannot only bring one action in the state where the defendant is domiciled in which they claims damages for publication in all contracting states, but can also bring actions in each contracting state in which publication takes place, provided that harm has been caused to the plaintiff as understood by the law of that state.
