---
title: "Deed of settlement and release for a defamation dispute, with agreed correction, apology and removal terms"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/defamation-settlement-deed-correction-apology"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a33-defamation-settlement-deed-correction-apology"
area_id: "A33"
kind: "deed"
ai_level: "yellow"
version: 1
task_ids: ["A33-T1-R10", "A33-A20260923-3"]
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-18"
---

# Deed of settlement and release for a defamation dispute, with agreed correction, apology and removal terms

> Deed settling a defamation complaint before or during proceedings: payment, removal and non-republication, an agreed correction or apology in a schedule with placement and duration, mutual releases, confidentiality and…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/defamation-settlement-deed-correction-apology  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-18

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

Deed settling a defamation complaint before or during proceedings: payment, removal and non-republication, an agreed correction or apology in a schedule with placement and duration, mutual releases, confidentiality and discontinuance.

## Key facts

- Kind: Deed. A deed that must be executed as a deed.
- Practice area: [Defamation & Media Law](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales, Australia
- AI level: Yellow. AI can help in set ways. A lawyer checks specific points before use.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-18
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-18 against the 5 authorities it cites, for New South Wales and Australia.

## When to use it

Use when the parties to a defamation complaint have agreed terms, whether after a concerns notice, on acceptance of an offer to make amends, or to settle proceedings. For a settlement by acceptance of an offer to make amends, check the terms of the offer first, because acceptance has its own statutory effect (s 17).

## Used for these tasks

- [Draft a settlement deed and a corrective statement or apology](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law.md#A33-T1-R10)
- [Compare the published text with a proposed correction](https://ailawframework.com/practice/defamation-and-media-law.md#A33-A20260923-3)

## How AI may be used

AI may fill the deed from the agreed terms sheet and compare the correction with the original publication; the lawyer settles the release, the apology wording and every operative term.

**AI may:**

- Fill parties, dates, amounts and the URLs of the matter complained of from the agreed terms sheet
- Compare the agreed correction with the original publication and list any statement it repeats or does not address
- Check that every publication listed in the concerns notice appears in the removal schedule

**AI must not:**

- Must not write or alter the apology or correction wording, which is agreed between the parties
- Must not change the scope of the releases, the confidentiality clause or the payment terms
- Must not add admissions of liability beyond what the parties agreed

**The lawyer checks:**

- The apology and correction match the wording agreed, with placement, prominence, duration and any accompanying social media posts specified
- Every publication and republication in issue is covered by the removal and non-republication terms, including archives, syndication and search caches the publisher controls
- The releases cover the right parties (journalists, editors, related entities) and carve out the settlement obligations
- If proceedings are on foot, the discontinuance and costs orders are dealt with and the timing of filing is fixed

## Authorities

- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 17 (effect of acceptance of an offer to make amends)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 20 (apology is not an admission of fault or liability)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 38 (apology and correction in mitigation of damages)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Defamation Act 2005 (NSW) s 23 (leave required for further proceedings about the same matter)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2005-077)
- [Limitation Act 1969 (NSW) ss 14B, 14C (1-year limitation period; single publication rule)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-1969-031)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/defamation-and-media-law/defamation-settlement-deed-correction-apology and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*