Massachusetts law about defamation

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Massachusetts laws

MGL c.218, § 21 Small claims court does not have jurisdiction over cases of slander and libel

MGL c.231, §§ 91-94 Evidence in libel and slander

MGL c.258, § 10(c) Exempts defamations claims from Massachusetts Tort Claims Act

3 years Statute of limitations

 

MGL c.260, § 4  Statute of limitations. Actions for slander or libel "shall be commenced only within three years next after the cause of action accrues."

Selected cases

Selected court cases on defamation

Web sources

Defamation law made simple, Nolo.com.
Learn the basics of slander and libel. 

Defamation, libel and slander, FindLaw.com.
Good general introduction to the topic. Includes additional articles about the history behind defamation, the different elements of libel and slander, types of defenses, and more.

Libel and slander, USLegal.com.
Description of history, privileges, defenses, and statutes of limitations. Has a FAQ link.

Print sources

Business torts in Massachusetts, 2nd ed., MCLE, loose-leaf, Chapter 9.

Chapter 93A rights and remedies, 5th ed., MCLE, 2022, Chapter 8, Sections 8.2.1(p); 8.3.7(c).

Massachusetts Practice: 

• vol. 10 (Procedural forms annotated) 6th ed. West, 2009 with supplement, Chapter 28.
• vol. 14D Summary of basic law 5th ed. Thomson Reuters, 2014 with supplement, §§ 16.225, 16.231.
• vol. 37 (Tort law) 3rd ed. Thomson/West, 2005 with supplement, Chapter 7.
• vol. 43 (Prima facie case: proof and defense) 5th ed. West Pub., 2005 with supplement, Chapter 43.

Massachusetts Superior Court civil practice jury instructions, 3rd ed., MCLE, loose-leaf, Chapter 6. 

Massachusetts tort law manual, 3rd ed., MCLE, loose-leaf, Chapter 7.

Last updated:	May 22, 2023