Libel, Libel and Libel Solicitors in London - Saunders Law (2023)

Reputation can be the most valuable thing a person possesses and can be the lifeblood of any business, so protecting it is crucial. Our specialist attorneys have decades of experience in carefully handling all types of defamation claims, and we can help ensure this prized asset is preserved.

We are a partner-run niche litigation firm based in central London. In order to provide our clients with exceptional service, we exclusively offer strategic advice and representation of the highest standard. As a result, we are unable to process claims cost-effectively below £10,000. Contact Saunders today if you are involved in a defamation dispute that exceeds this amount and want a team of determined litigators to achieve the desired outcome.

Our recent cases:

• We represented Mr Crook in his landmark victory in the High Court for breaching Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, breaching the Data Protection Act and breach of trust following the publication of his personal details in newspapers as a 'most wanted' allegation of rape, and secured him monetary damages from £70,000.
• B v Channel 4 - represented an individual in a successful injunction to prevent the release of personal information on the show '24 Hours in Police Custody'.
• Advising a corporate intelligence firm on its defamation lawsuit against an Israeli broadcasting company.
• Representing a journalist in removing a defamatory Twitter tweet directed at him.
• Advising a national charity and advocacy group on privacy issues and misuse of confidential information.
• Advising individuals before the Leveson Inquiry Committee and Parliamentary Committee
  in the wake of the News of the World phone hacking scandal.
• Assisting an international news channel with two major criminal and
  regulatory investigations, both of which have been dropped due to the statements we made on their behalf.
• Obtaining an injunction for a well-known businessman and entrepreneur
  prohibit the publication of defamatory blogs and ensure their removal.
• Advising a high-profile media personality in relation to allegations by
  criminal behavior and dealing with media resonance.

Speak to our London defamation lawyers

Call us for advice on filing a personality defamation claim020 7315 4809orinquire online.

Read our guide:An introduction to process control.

Experienced defamation lawyers in central London - why Saunders Law is the smart choice for defamation claims

Due to the digital media revolution and the rapid rise of social platforms, there are more opportunities than ever for a person's reputation to be tarnished. Whether reputational damage was caused by someone's spoken or written communications, we help individuals and businesses restore their reputation and take action against those who have unfairly attacked their character.

Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with claims related to defamation, defamation and defamation - particularly when those responsible are contesting the claim. We help clients who have suffered unfair and harmful statements about their personal character or behavior. We understand that such events can be extremely stressful and put a strain on your business, finances and personal life. For this reason, we aim to mitigate the impact of such statements and ensure our clients are fully compensated for any financial loss resulting from the defamation.

Partner-led team with over 40 years of experience

Our partner-led team has over four decades of experience handling complex and high-value litigation. Our team consists of many highly qualified professionals who have a wide range of legal expertise. For example, our Head of Dispute Resolution,Matthew Purcell, has specialized in litigation throughout his career and his experience includes various high profile defamation cases.

Read more aboutour teamby legal experts.

Bespoke service tailored to the individual needs of our customers

The circumstances giving rise to the defamatory language, as well as the comments, printed words or actions themselves, will always be unique to each case. Therefore, we ensure that our advice is carefully tailored to our client's individual circumstances in order to deliver the desired outcome in the most efficient way.

We help our clients explore a variety of potential options using the highest strategic insights gleaned from our decades of combined expertise.

Free, non-binding initial consultation

We can offer individuals and businesses a free initial consultation about the possibility of a defamation lawsuit.

What is defamation?

Defamation is an oral or written statement made by an individual or company that is found to be false but damages their reputation. There are two types of defamation:

• Slander – spoken words or comments
• Slander or Written Libel – Words published or broadcast in writing

Each type of defamation has different legal requirements that must be proven in court.

Assertion of a Defamation Claim

Anyone who becomes aware that anything defamatory has been written or said about them, whether online, in print or in public, should contact us immediately. The sooner one of our specialist defamation attorneys can investigate the facts, the easier it is for us to mitigate the damage caused by the defamation.

We help our clients to develop the best strategy to ensure their good character is protected. There are a number of actions we can take including but not limited to:

• assertion of claims for damages;
• Requests for an injunction to prevent re-defamation or defamation; and
• Apologies from the responsible party

We can also support clients who have good reason to believe they are the victim of defamation. We may be able to prevent defamatory statements by obtaining an injunction to ensure our client's reputation is not damaged in the first place. Our specialist lawyers handle all defamation cases with understanding and conduct extensive discussions in the strictest confidence before offering tailored advice to each client's specific situation.

It is important for victims of defamation to act quickly, as there are strict deadlines for initiating proceedings.Contact Saunderstoday to find out how our character defamation attorneys can help.

Frequently Asked Questions on Slander, Libel, and Slander

How to sue for defamation, defamation and defamation?

The Defamation Act 2013 establishes the law on defamation. The law states: "a statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or threatens to cause serious damage to the complainant's reputation“. The law also provides for a number of defenses against defamation.

ThatPre-Action Protocol for Media and Communications Claimsregulates how suits of defamation should be brought and administered. The Pre-Action Protocol covers a wide range of actions as well as defamation, including misuse of private information, privacy laws, harassment, breach of trust and malicious falsehood.

Beneficiaries may bring an action for publication or threatened publication in the print or broadcast media (such as newspapers and television shows), online or on social media, or in speech.

The parties are encouraged and expected to take all possible steps to resolve the issues and seek a speedy resolution, avoiding litigation where they can.

The first step in filing a defamation lawsuit is to draft and issue a statement of claim that sets out information such as the basis of the lawsuit and the remedies the plaintiff is seeking. When setting out the details of the claim, the claimant should provide information such as the following:

• Which publication contains the defamatory statements?
• What was the slanderous statement
• The date of publication or (in the case of libel) where and under what circumstances the statement was made
• What the plaintiff alleges was meant by the defamatory statement
• In what way was the statement inaccurate or untenable
• How the statement caused or threatened to cause serious harm to the plaintiff

The Defendant may respond to the Complaint to accept the Complaint (in part or in full), request more information, or deny the Complaint (along with reasons).

Depending on the respondent's response, it may be appropriate to use alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation, early neutral evaluation (ENE), or arbitration.

If ADR is unsuccessful, the Pre-Action Protocol states that the parties should take "stocktaking" to review their positions and see if there are other ways to resolve the claim. The final option is to bring a defamation lawsuit in court.

Are there defenses against defamation?

A number of defenses are available to the parties involved in defamation cases. This includes defending that the statement is true or that the statement was a "fair comment".

However, the team here at Saunders is exceptionally experienced in dealing with defamation lawsuits and can offer advice on the likelihood of a lawsuit being successful.

What is the difference between slander, slander and slander?

Defamation is the umbrella term for a situation in which a statement is made that is unfair and untrue and is likely to belittle the opinion of others about the person or company slandered. This is known as personality defamation and can appear either in writing, orally, or online or on social media.

However, the terms "slander" and "slander" are also used to describe such situations, and many find the difference confusing.

What is defamation?

The termDefamationrefers to defamatory statements in a persistent form, such as in print, on television broadcasts, or on websites.

What is defamation?

On the other hand,Defamationoccurs when someone speaks negatively about a person or company, which can damage their reputation.

What are defamatory statements?

Defamatory statements can be made in a variety of ways, including word of mouth, social media, and written publications such as newspapers or magazines. If something unfair or untrue is said or written about a person or company that is likely to diminish the esteem of others, it is a bad reputation.

Do I need a defamation attorney or a defamation attorney?

Our defamation attorneys specialize in both defamation and defamation lawsuits. Regardless of how the defamatory statement was made, we will take decisive action to restore and protect our client's reputation.

Can someone bring a defamation lawsuit if not credited by name?

Yes, as long as the person or entity can be identified by the defamatory words or materials, it is possible to bring a defamation lawsuit.

Can companies bring a lawsuit for defamation?

Yes, the UK Defamation, Defamation and Defamation Act states that for a defamation action to be successful, a company must prove that the defamatory words or material have caused or are likely to cause significant damage to their business. Significant damage usually means a significant financial loss.

Can a person claim defamatory words posted on social media?

Yes, although social media is often less permanent than other forms of posting, as posts and comments can be deleted and removed, defamatory words posted on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook can be just as damaging to reputation as in a newspaper published words or transmission.

Social media defamation can be even worse than other forms of defamation because it has such a wide, global reach and content can be easily reposted online.

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Who are you suing for defamation?

Any person or company involved in posting the defamatory words or material may be sued. This can include the author of the material as well as the editor, producer, publisher or (in some cases) a website owner. In the case of website owners, it may not be possible to sue if they are not responsible for the material posted on their website.

What are the time limits for defamation claims?

Under UK defamation law, any person or company affected by defamation must bring their complaint within one year of the date of publication. If the material has been republished - for example material that continues to be posted online - the period will run from the date it was first published.

Can you get compensation for defamation?

Compensation can be one of the remedies available to someone who has been the victim of defamation. Other remedies include:

• An injunction to prevent further publication or to have defamatory material removed or removed
• An apology or a retraction

Do all defamation claims go to court?

No, some do, but courts usually try to encourage parties to negotiate an out-of-court settlement wherever possible. This usually involves writing a letter of complaint outlining the basis of the claim and the expected resolution. From here, the parties can try to negotiate an appropriate solution, such as compensation or an apology. If a voluntary agreement is not possible, it may be necessary to go to court. An experienced defamation attorney can provide you with detailed advice on the suitability of a settlement offer and the prospects of a successful court action.

Saunders Law – Specialists in Libel and Commercial Disputes London

At Saunders Law, we are dedicated litigators with years of experience helping clients resolve their civil and commercial disputes. We are known for our high quality work and excellent customer satisfaction. We operate from offices opposite the High Court in central London and are also ideally located to handle all types of litigation. For a free and non-binding initial consultation on how we can help you, please contact us.