Defamatory libel was originally an offence under the common law of England.
It was established in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland.
[1] The common law offence of defamatory libel was abolished[2] for England and Wales and Northern Ireland on 12 January 2010.
Section 4 of the Libel Act 1843 which created an aggravated statutory offence was also repealed.
See the following cases: This originally vested in the Court of Star Chamber.