Commentary on Sections Section 34L: Law of defamation
344.Section 34L confers absolute privilege for the purposes of the law of defamation on certain communications between a Local Commissioner and other parties and certain publications by a Local Commissioner. This means that these communications and publications are not actionable for slander or libel.
345.Communications between a Local Commissioner and an adult social care provider will be privileged. The publication of any matter by a Local Commissioner in communications with a complainant, the Parliamentary Commissioner, the Health Service Commissioner, a local authority or the Care Quality Commission will also be privileged. Privilege will also apply to the publication of statements, adverse finding notices, summaries and reports by a Local Commissioner.