The Slander of Women Act 1891 (54 & 55 Vict. c. 51) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (as it then was).
Section 1
Slander imputing unchastity or adultery to a female
This section provides that in an action for slander ("words spoken and published"), brought by a female plaintiff in respect of words that impute unchastity or adultery to her, it is not necessary for her to allege or prove that she has suffered special damage.
The word "unchastity" is not confined to unchastity with a man. To call a woman a "lesbian" is to impute "unchastity" to her.Kerr v. Kennedy 1 K.B. 409
However, the section then provides that in an action for slander made actionable by that section, a plaintiff may not be awarded more costs than damages unless the judge certifies that "there was reasonable ground for bringing the action".
Republic of Ireland This section was replaced for the Republic of Ireland by section 16 of the Defamation Act 1961. The proviso was not reproduced.
Section 2 This section provides that the Act may be cited as the Slander of Women Act 1891 and that it does not apply to Scotland.
Repeal The Act was repealedThe Defamation Act 1961, section 4 and the first schedule for the Republic of Ireland on 1 January 1962 and for England and Wales on 1 January 2014 by section 14(1) of the Defamation Act 2013.Brought into force by article 2 of the Defamation Act 2013 (Commencement) (England and Wales) Order 2013.
Parliamentary debates
References