2020 Question 4 — LawShortcut Independent Model Answer
Defamation · Absolute privilege · Occupiers' liability
Scenario summary
The Daily Page ran an investigation into senators' expenses. It uncovered exaggerated claims by some senators but turned up nothing implicating Senator A. Even so, it published, in both its print and online editions, the assertion that "all senators are potential fraudsters".
The following day, speaking in the Senate Chamber, Senator A declared that the newspaper had no place in a democratic society and called on the public to boycott it. On his way out of the Chamber, Senator A caught his foot on a protruding stair iron and broke his leg.
The newspaper reports that, over the next six months, its sales and subscriptions dropped by €500K.
Candidates are asked to advise Senator A in respect of The Daily Page and the relevant occupier, and to advise The Daily Page in respect of Senator A.
This is a LawShortcut scenario summary written in our own words. For the exact examined wording, use the official King’s Inns paper linked above.
What this model answer covers
Issues and structure addressed in the full LawShortcut model answer:
- 1. Senator A v The Daily Page - defamation
- 2. The Daily Page v Senator A - absolute privilege
- 3. Senator A v the occupier - protruding stair iron
- Current-Law Note for 2026
Read the complete LawShortcut model answer to this question — reading the question, issue spotting, the applicable law, application to the facts and conclusions — inside the King’s Inns Tort Model Answer Vault.
Part of the King’s Inns Tort Model Answer Vault — 30 independently authored model answers, 2020—2025.