Defamation
Overview
Defamation is the act of damaging an individual's reputation through false statements.
Who can sue for Defamation?
Any legal entity can bring a defamation claim including individuals, companies and partnerships.
Trade Unions are excluded from bringing a defamation claim.
Differences between libel and slander?
Slander covers spoken statements and gestures that are false which cause damage to another person’s reputation.
Examples of Slander are:
- An employer claiming an employee stole equipment
- Telling someone that a person cheated on his taxes
Libel covers publications such as written allegations including TV, radio and on the internet.
A newspaper article publishing false information about a celebrity is an example of libel.
How long does the Claimant have to issue a claim for defamation?
A defamation claim must be made within a year of the publication of the original statements. Therefore, if you believe you were a victim of defamation on the 1st January 2010, you should file the defamation claim before the 31st December 2010.
What can be recovered for a successful claim for defamation?
A successful claim in defamation would result in damages i.e. compensation or an injunction to prevent future publication of defamatory statements.
However often defamation claims are settled before trial through a settlement agreement negotiated by both parties.
What services do we offer?
Free Legal Helpline offer an advice service that is completely free of charge to use, call one of our telephone operators who are experienced in the legal process. Once we have established your needs we will connect you to a solicitor.
Free Legal Helpline only work with solicitors who are highly experienced in their area of law, so you can rest assure that you will only receive a high quality of service. We have Solicitors who are located nationwide.
What can we do next?
Call Free Legal Helpline and speak to one of our trained advisors who will help you get in contact with a specialist solicitor or feel free to submit your details and one of our trained advisors will give you a call back.
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