Defamation & Reputation Articles and News
Defamation is the umbrella term which covers both libel and slander. When you are defamed, harm is caused to your reputation. If that harm is serious, and depending upon the context in which the untrue words have been published about you, it is possible that you could bring a claim for compensation and an injunction. Defamation claims are only dealt with by the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court. They are generally very complex and technical, and expert assistance is required to deal with defamation matters effectively.
There are two types of defamation, libel and slander. Libel is untrue statements which are made in a permanent form, usually in writing. Slander refers to untrue statements which are made in a non permanent form, usually by being spoken. Defamation of character can have far reaching consequences. You could fall out with friends and family, you could be shunned from clubs or societies that you are a member of, and in extreme circumstances, you could lose your job. Restoring your reputation involves making technically challenging allegations to your opponents and then potentially bringing a claim in court. The complexity of this type of case, and the short period of time that you have to bring a claim, means that it is advisable to speak to a lawyer as quickly as possible if you have suffered defamation of your character. We have a team of expert lawyers who can assist you with this type of case.
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Matthew Howe
A councillor who published a libellous tweet depicting Jeremy Corbyn, has quickly retracted the statement he made and apologised for his actions.30/11/2021 -
Judith Thompson
The number of social media users on the planet is huge, and it's growing. Every social media user is a publisher under the law and untrue statements are inevitably published, but what can you do?28/09/2021 -
Are you at risk of being sued for libel or breach of privacy, as a result of your social media posts? A new campaign encourages consideration of these issues.07/07/2021 -
Trustpilot is refusing to comply with a court order to remove a libellous review from its site - what are the implications of this for businesses trying to deal with untrue and malicious reviews?26/02/2021 -
Judith Thompson
A Judge confirms that individuals can expect their private correspondence to be protected. This will apply to letters, emails, texts and all other forms of written communication.22/02/2021 -
Matthew Howe
A recent decision in the High Court made it clear that in libel cases, the level of damages can be reduced because of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.16/02/2021 -
Fair and accurate references can be vital to ensuring you get the job - but what if your old employer gives you an unfair reference?10/09/2020 -
Damages for defamation can vary wildly depending on the country where the case is heard. What can you expect?14/07/2020 -
Judith Thompson
Newspapers can make mistakes, no more so than when printing photos - have you been affected?25/04/2019 -
Judith Thompson
A long running case was brought anonymously against Google, but that is about to change.31/08/2018 -
Judith Thompson
Google are being sued in Australia by a man whose image appeared in a search for criminals.18/06/2018 -
Judith Thompson
A High Court decision last week sets a new precedent in right to be forgotten cases.17/04/2018