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No. 20-1063October Term 2020Decided Jul 2, 2021Updated Jul 2, 2021

Docket 20-1063October Term 2020 (2020–2021)

Berisha v. Lawson

This case arises from a defamation suit by Shkelzen Berisha against author Guy Lawson over statements linking Berisha to an arms-dealing scandal.

Case status

Decided · July 2, 2021

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Jul 2, 2021
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedJul 2, 2021
What it's about

This case arises from a defamation suit by Shkelzen Berisha against author Guy Lawson over statements linking Berisha to an arms-dealing scandal. The petition asks the Court to reconsider the First Amendment rule that public figures must prove “actual malice” in libel cases and to decide whether Berisha was properly treated as a public figure.

Question presented

Whether this Court should overrule the “actual malice” requirement it imposed on public figure defamation plaintiffs?

Case path

United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit / Decision released Jul 2, 2021

Area

First Amendment

Timing

Decided July 2, 2021

The Court released its decision on July 2, 2021 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity2
  • Opinion added: Opinion

    Jul 2, 2021 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Feb 1, 2021 | Court records

Grounding

Grounding
Primary-source trail available.
Note
Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
Checked
Jul 25, 2026
Primary materials5