What unique aspects does UK law have?

Rebel Wilson and Sacha Baron Cohen: A Literary Battle

The release of Rebel Wilson's memoir, Rebel Rising, in the United States has stirred up controversy as potential inaccuracies have caused delays in the book's publication in the UK.The UK edition of the book will contain numerous redacted pages and paragraphs that mention Sacha Baron Cohen, the multi-talented English actor, writer, producer, and comedian. These sections detail Wilson's discomfort while working with Cohen on the set of The Brothers Grimsby in 2016.Wilson alleges that Cohen made derogatory remarks towards her and pressured her to film nude scenes against her wishes.

According to The Guardian, these censored excerpts hint at Cohen's inappropriate behavior and his insistence on Wilson participating in scenes that made her uncomfortable.

Wilson explains that certain parts of the book are blacked out "due to the peculiarities of the law in England and Wales."

Cohen Denies False Claims

Cohen's representatives have refuted Wilson's allegations, stating that the chapter in question was not adequately fact-checked and accusing Wilson of sensationalizing the issue to boost book sales.

They argue,

"Printing false information is illegal in the UK and Australia; this is not a 'peculiarity' as Ms. Wilson suggests, but a long-standing legal principle."

If Wilson is found to have knowingly spread false information for personal gain, she could face a claim for Malicious Falsehood.

Understanding Malicious Falsehood in UK Law

Malicious falsehood occurs when one party deliberately makes false statements about another's goods or services with the intent of causing financial harm, as defined by Pinsent Masons.To prove malicious falsehood, it must be shown that the defendant knowingly published false information with malicious intent, seeking to damage the reputation of the other party.

Cohen and his team maintain that Wilson is aware of the falsehood in her claims and challenge her to provide evidence from film footage and behind-the-scenes recordings to support her accusations.