Beach v Freeson
1971 · [1972] 1 QB 14
Posted By lanbuk.com
- Facts
- A Member of Parliament forwarded a constituent's complaint about a firm of solicitors to the Law Society and the Lord Chancellor.
- Issue
- Was the Member's letter protected in a action?
- Held
- Yes, by at common law, as he had a duty to pass on the complaint and the recipients had an interest in receiving it. There was no malice.
- Principle
- A Member's work outside the House may be protected by qualified privilege, but not by absolute .
- Why it matters
- Shows the difference between absolute and qualified privilege.
Words and Latin in this note
- Parliamentary privilege
- The rights and immunities of Parliament and its Members, chiefly freedom of speech in debate, which cannot be questioned in any court. Open the note.
For study only. By lanbuk.com. Always check current sources and consult a qualified professional.