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High Court refuses to extend time for the institution of proceedings claiming defamation by a newspaper arising from an article referring to the applicant in the context of the divulging of a rape committed by a third party on a separate individual, where the applicant has failed to provide a good reason to the court for her delay in bringing her claim, and where the interests of justice and the wider public interest of a free but responsible press must be weighed in the balance.
Defamation - applicant's claim outside the one-year statutory period for bringing a valid claim - application to extend time for bringing claim - applicant the 'female occupant' of a house in which a third party was raped - substantive claim concerns whether applicant was defamed by the suggestion of a newspaper article that, as a result of her incredulity after being informed about the rape from the victim, she may be in some way sympathetic to the rapist and the crime - chronology of proceedings - applicable legislation on defamation - Order 1B RSC - case law to be considered - whether evidence no longer capable of being adduced - reasons for delay - balance of prejudice - interests of justice - freedom of speech - no good reason for not instituting proceedings within the applicable time period - interests of the responsible but free press - application denied.
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