What is the typical outcome when a defendant successfully invokes 'truth' as a defence in a defamation case?

When a defendant successfully invokes "truth" as a defense in a defamation case, the case is typically dismissed. This is because the defense of truth serves as a complete defense to the claim of defamation. If the defendant can prove that the statements made are true, then the legal premise of defamation—making false statements that harm someone's reputation—is not satisfied. Therefore, the court finds in favor of the defendant, effectively leading to the dismissal of the case brought by the claimant.

This principle is rooted in the idea that individuals should be free to speak the truth, even if it may be damaging to someone else's reputation, as long as the statements made can be substantiated as factual. This explains why the invocation of truth as a defense conclusively prevents the claim from proceeding further in the legal system.