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Defamation, Libel and Slander Claims

It can take a long time to establish yourself and build your reputation, but all that hard work can be undone in an instant by the actions of others. At Hayes Connor, our defamation solicitors help our clients secure compensation when they have suffered reputational damage.

There are many situations where sensitive, private information can enter the public domain and have a serious impact on someone’s reputation. We understand just how damaging this can be, and why urgent action needs to be taken in these circumstances.

Our defamation solicitors have acted in a number of serious cases where an employer, a public sector body or a media organisation has caused significant reputational damage when private information is published or otherwise made public.

These incidents can have far reaching consequences with people suffering from stress, anxiety and distress in addition to significant financial loss, such as current and future loss of earnings.

We have seen many instances where an employer has intentionally or sometimes even accidentally “named and shamed” an employee during the course of an investigation process.

Incidents like this can have a serious impact upon your career and earning potential. This is not acceptable and action can be taken to remedy the situation and secure financial compensation.

Hayes Connor can help you get compensation for defamation, libel and slander

If you or your business have been victim to defamation, libel or slander, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. This is something our solicitors can help you with.

At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we have a wealth of experience across our team. We know exactly what it takes to make a successful claim.

We understand that making a claim can be stressful, especially where sensitive information is concerned..

If you believe you have grounds to claim, we can assess this for you free of charge. Simply use our secure online claim form to let us know the details of your claim, and we will get back to you shortly.

Our expert, friendly team will advise you on whether you have a valid claim and will be pleased to answer any questions you might have.

If we believe you have a strong case, we’ll go through your options with you. We may be able to take action for you on a no win, no fee basis.

We can help you to claim compensation for:

  • Defamation
  • Reputational damage
  • Data protection breaches
  • Privacy & human rights breaches
  • The misuse of personal information

Why work with Hayes Connor?

At Hayes Connor, our expert team have specialist expertise in supporting individuals and businesses in making defamation claims where the actions of others have resulted in reputational damage and financial losses.

No matter what your individual circumstances may be, our solicitors always strive to ensure that the claims process remains as straightforward and stress-free as possible, while also ensuring that you receive the maximum available compensation.

Our solicitors have an excellent track record of securing positive results for our clients, often without the need for court proceedings.

Where we believe that you have a defamation, libel or slander claim, we may be able to act for you on a no win, no fee basis. This removes the financial risk that could potentially come with making a claim.

See what our clients say about working with us.

Start a defamation claim today

Think you are entitled to make a claim for defamation? Use our simple and secure online claim form to inform us of the details of your situation. Our team will then be in touch shortly to let you know whether we can help.

To speak to a member of our team about pursuing a defamation, slander or libel claim, please call us on 0330 041 5134.

Defamation, libel and slander FAQs

It is important to note that defamation, libel and slander are not the same. When we refer to ‘defamation’, this is an umbrella term for a situation where a statement is made which is untrue, unfair, and is likely to lower other people’s opinion of the defamed person or business.

Defamation is otherwise known as ‘defamation of character’. It can be written, spoken, or appear online.

The terms ‘libel’ and ‘slander’ are two types of defamation.

What is libel?

Libel refers to a defamatory statement that has been made in a permanent form (written or spoken). Good examples of where libel could occur include in print, television broadcasts, social media, or on websites.

What is slander?

In contrast, slander is where a person talks about an individual or business in a negative way. This can be equally damaging, as it can have a serious reputational impact that can often be difficult to recover from.

What would be considered a defamatory statement?

A defamatory statement could include anything from a column in a written publication, a social media post or simply via word of mouth. If a statement is considered to be untrue and unfair to a person or business, this could be considered defamation of character.

The law on defamation in the UK is governed by the Defamation Act 2013. Under the Act, a statement cannot be considered defamatory (and a claim cannot be brought) unless its publication will cause serious harm to the reputation of a claimant.

The Pre-action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims sets out the way in which defamation claims are managed, covering various actions in addition to defamation. This includes data protection, harassment, breach of confidence and misuse of private information.

If you believe you have a claim for defamation, our specialist solicitors can work alongside you to review your circumstances and advise you on the best course of action. Sometimes, it will be in your interests to try to settle a claim without the need for court proceedings but, if court proceedings are required, we can assist you with every step of this.

A claim will be started by sending what is known as a Letter of Claim to the Defendant setting out the case against them. Within this letter, we will set out how  the defamation has taken place, the reasons why the statement should be considered defamatory and the serious harm it has caused you or your business.

After considering the letter of claim, the Defendant may accept liability after which the parties can begin negotiations on the amount of recoverable damages. If the Defendant denies liability, we will assess their arguments and decide if court proceedings are necessary.

At Hayes Connor, we may be able to act for you on a no win, no fee basis. If your case is eligible for a no win, no fee agreement, you will not have to pay any legal fees if your claim is not successful.

Our team can advise you on whether no win, no fee would be applicable to your situation during an initial consultation.

Defamation of character UK laws dictate that you must bring forward a claim within one year of the date of publication. It should be noted that, where material has been republished, the time limit still runs from the date when the statement was originally published. If you are unsure as to whether you still have time to make a claim, please contact us and we would be happy to assist.

The amount you can claim for defamation of character will depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the defamatory comments, the perceived reputational damage and direct financial losses. The credibility of the publication making the defamatory statement will also be taken into consideration, as a well-known publication is likely to cause more damage.

Yes, absolutely. Businesses can be affected by defamatory statements in much the same way that an individual could, with financial losses and reputational damage both being likely consequences of defamation.

Compensation is one of the most common remedies for anyone who has been the victim of defamation. However, you may also be able to make a claim which includes receiving:

  • An injunction that prevents any further publication, or for the material to be removed permanently
  • An apology or retraction from the defendant

Start your defamation claim today

At Hayes Connor Solicitors, we can help you to sue for defamation, libel and/or slander and steer you through the aftermath of such a situation – supporting you through the process and minimising the impact on you as much as possible.

You can find out more about our expertise and how we handle claims here. To have your claim assessed for free, you can use our secure online claim form. Or to speak to a member of our team, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 0330 041 5137.