Defamation and Libel.
defendant or defendants in more than one of the actions so consolidated, they shall proceed to apportion the amount of damages which they have so found between and against the said last-mentioned defendants; and similar provisions shall apply if the trial is before a judge without a jury. The judge at the trial, if he awards to the plaintiff the costs of the action, shall thereupon make such order as he may deem just for the apportionment of such costs between and against such defendants.
[20
[CAP. 21
charged may
evidence.
20. Any person charged with the offence of libel before Person any court of criminal jurisdiction, and the wife or husband give of the person so charged, shall be competent, but not com-pellable, witnesses on every hearing at every stage of such charge.
[22
51 & 52 Vict.
c. 64, s. 9.
imputing
unchastity to girl per se
4 & 5 Vict.
woman or
actionable.
21. Words spoken and published which impute un-chastity or adultery to any woman or girl shall not require special damage to render them actionable: Provided that, in any action for words spoken and made actionable by this Ordinance, a plaintiff shall not recover more costs than damages, unless the judge at the trial certifies that there was reasonable ground for bringing the action.
[23
c. 51, s. 1.
ex officio
22. Nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to an Saving as to ex officio information filed by the Attorney General or to any informations. information by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, by the direction of the court, at the instance of some private individual.
413
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