Commentary on Sections Part 10: Schools Chapter 2: Complaints: England Section 216: Law of defamation
700.This section 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.
701.The publication of any matter by a Local Commissioner in communications with a complainant, the Parliamentary Commissioner, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills or a local authority will also be privileged. Privilege will also apply to the publication of statements, adverse finding notices, summaries and reports by a Local Commissioner.