Privilege is a special legal right or immunity granted to a person or persons. Absolute privilege is an immunity from lawsuit, usually a lawsuit for defamation. 

First, we'll look at the concept of defamation and then at how someone can use absolute privilege as a defense against a charge of defamation.

What is Defamation? 

Defamation is the act of harming the reputation of another by making a false statement to another person.

The act of defamation may be through a false written statement or a false oral statement, through charges of libel and slander. Libel is the legal term for a written defamatory statement; slander is the legal term for an oral statement.

In order for a statement to be defamatory it must be both false and communicated to others. In the U.S., the person making the accusation of defamation (the plaintiff), the person who has allegedly been defamed, has the burden of proof. 

Defenses Against Defamation

Defendants typically have several defenses against a charge of defamation. The truth is said to be the best defense against defamation; if the statement against another can be shown to be true, there is no defamation. The plaintiff must also show that harm has been done to the plaintiff's reputation, usually measured in economic terms.  The plaintiff cannot be shown to have consented to the statement (by giving an interview, for example), and there must be proof that the statement was communicated to others.

 

Absolute Privilege as a Defamation Defense

Privilege, or immunity, is also a defense against a claim of defamation. Absolute privilege is an old common-law privilege that protects members of lawmaking bodies from charges of defamation for statements made "on the floor" of their legislative bodies, without regard for whether the words are stated in good faith. 

In addition, reports of proceedings of legislative bodies have absolute privilege, as do communications as part of a trial. 

 

Examples of absolute privilege: An example of absolute privilege is the ability of legislators to have immunity for actions and statements made during debates and in the course of their legislative work, without fear of being sued for defamation.

Absolute privilege should not be confused with qualified privilege, which protects the person from lawsuit in certain circumstances and examples, including the press, some governmental bodies, employers, and reviewers. 

 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to be general in nature and is not intended to be legal advice. Qualified privilege in employment situations is handled differently in each state. Employers should check with legal counsel before giving references or information about current or former employees. 

 

Also Known As: Legislative Privilege