Annual Meeting Spotlight on Defamation and Privacy
Reporters Lyrissa Lidsky and Robert Post discuss the legal framework governing defamation, including how courts evaluate allegedly defamatory statements and the standards used to determine liability.
Iowa and South Dakota Supreme Courts Adopt Restatement Sections
Two state high courts recently turned to the Restatements to clarify core legal standards—defining “probable cause” in will contests under no-contest clauses (Iowa) and confirming that a good-faith mistake does not negate intent in civil trespass (South Dakota).
Copyright Restatement Letter
The American Law Institute has responded to the February 19, 2026, inquiry from Senators Tillis and Schiff regarding the Restatement of the Law, Copyright. The letter outlines the Institute’s process, the development of the Copyright Restatement, and addresses the questions raised in the Senators’ inquiry.
Election Assistance Commission Audit Standards Highlight ALI’s Ethical Standards for Election Administration
New voluntary national standards for election audits released by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) prominently reference the Ethical Standards for Election Administration developed by a bipartisan working group convened by The American Law Institute.
Why Unify Libel and Slander?
In the half century since the Second Restatement, the rapid development of digital communications has rendered the libel–slander distinction untenable, both theoretically and practically. It now serves no purpose except to make defamation more technical, confused, and expensive.
Project Spotlight – Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Defamation and Privacy
Lyrissa Lidsky and Robert Post, who serve as Reporters on Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Defamation and Privacy, provide an overview of the project.
The ALI Adviser is intended to inform readers about the legal topics and issues examined in many of ALI’s current projects; posts do not necessarily represent the position of the Institute taken in those projects. Posts on The ALI Adviser are written by ALI project participants, ALI members, and outside sources. Completed work is available to purchase online.