Part of the common law series |
Tort law |
---|
(Outline) |
Trespass to the person |
Property torts |
Dignitary torts |
Negligent torts |
Principles of negligence |
Strict and absolute liability |
Nuisance |
Economic torts |
|
Defences |
Liability |
Remedies |
Other topics in tort law |
|
By jurisdiction |
Other common law areas |
In United States defamation law, actual malice is a legal requirement imposed upon public officials or public figures when they file suit for libel (defamatory printed communications). Compared to other individuals who are less well known to the general public, public officials and public figures are held to a higher standard for what they must prove before they may succeed in a defamation lawsuit.[1]