Publication of defamatory material without the intention of the writer and without negligence. The writer of a libel is not liable civilly if he addresses it to the plaintiff himself, yet if he addresses it to the plaintiff knowing or having reason to know that it is likely to be opened and read before it reaches the plaintiff’s hands, for instance by a secretary or clerk, and it is so opened and read, there will be a publication for which the writer will be liable (Gomersall v Davies (1898) 14 TLR 430 (CA)), subject to a defence of qualified privilege if there is a sufficient common interest between plaintiff and defendant in the subject matter of the letter. Conversely, if a letter containing a libel intended for and addressed to the person libelled is wrongfully opened by a third person, there is no publication: Theaker v Richardson [1962] 1 WLR 151 (CA). See also Defamation; Innocent publication.
在沒有有關作者及在沒有疏忽的情況下，作出誹謗性質事宜的發表。如永久形式誹謗的撰寫人是致函給有關原告人本身的，則他／她沒有民事法律責任；但如他／她是在知悉或有理由知悉有關函件在到達原告人手中之前，相當可能會被人（例如秘書或文員）打開及閱讀的情況下致函給有關原告人的，而事實上已被打開及閱讀，則會構成發表，而有關的撰寫人會有法律責任(Gomersall v Davies (1898) 14 TLR 430（英國上訴法院）)，如原告人和被告人之間在有關函件的標的事宜上有充分的共同利益，則可提出符合資格的特權的抗辯。但如載有永久形式誹謗的函件是意圖致函給被永久形式誹謗的人的，但被第三方錯誤地打開，則不構成發表：Theaker v Richardson [1962] 1 WLR 151（英國上訴法院）。另見 Defamation; Innocent publication。

• Navigator
• Nearest relative
• Necessaries
• Necessary and proper party
• Necessity
• Needs of a child
• Negative covenant
• Negative duty
• Negative easement
• Negative hearsay
• Negative pledge
• Neglect
• Negligence
• Negligence clause
• Negligence, contributory
• Negligence, gross
• Negligence in manufacture
• Negligent breach of contract
• Negligent driving
• Negligent misrepresentation
• Negligent misstatement
• Negligent statement
• Negotiability
• Negotiable certificate of deposit
• Negotiable instrument