Legal Definitions - mutation of libel

Definition: Mutation of libel is an amendment to a complaint in maritime law. Libel is a defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium, such as writing, pictures, signs, or electronic broadcasts. It is classified as both a crime and a tort, but it is no longer prosecuted as a crime. The act of making such a statement is called publication of defamatory matter by written or printed words, by its embodiment in physical form, or by any other form of communication that has the potentially harmful qualities characteristic of written or printed words.

Examples: A person writes an article in a newspaper that falsely accuses someone of stealing. This is an example of libel. If the same person later amends the article to correct the false accusation, this is an example of mutation of libel.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a defamatory statement expressed in a fixed medium can be amended to correct the false accusation. The amendment is called mutation of libel. It is important to note that libel is no longer prosecuted as a crime, but it is still considered a tort. Therefore, the person who was falsely accused can sue the person who wrote the article for damages.