Defamation

Defamation is the communication to third parties of false statements about a person that injure the reputation of or deter others from associating with that person.

Slander

Slander is the Tort of defamation of a person by unprivileged oral communication made to a third party. An action for slander may be brought, for example, if the statements in question have a plainly harmful character, as by imputing to the plaintiffs’ criminal guilt, serious sexual misconduct, or conduct or a characteristic affecting his or her business or profession.

Libel

The publication of a defamatory statement or representation in the form of written or printed words, print, signs, or pictures that injures an individual's reputation (as in business) or otherwise exposes him or her to public contempt. We have extensive experience of advising many individuals and companies, for whom libel claims or media coverage present unique concerns.

Our work includes inter alia:

• pre-publication advice, to facilitate safe and accurate publication.
• privacy and breach of confidence: proposals for improved privacy laws and a statutory Press Council, and the advent of the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003, have increased emphasis on privacy.
• reputation management: we advise individuals and corporate on responses to inaccurate media coverage.