Claims for damages
(1)In any proceedings for defamation in which a news medium is the defendant, the plaintiff shall not specify in the plaintiff's statement of claim the amount of any damages claimed by the plaintiff in the proceedings.
(2)In any proceedings for defamation, where—
(a)judgment is given in favour of the plaintiff; and
(b)the amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff is less than the amount claimed; and
(c)in the opinion of the Judge, the damages claimed are grossly excessive,—
the court shall award the defendant by whom the damages are payable the solicitor and client costs of the defendant in the proceedings.