Defamation - Libel & Slander
Top quality Defamation & Privacy Law legal advice but without City of London prices! FROM THE SOLICITORS WHO BROUGHT AND WON THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL "TWIBEL" TWITTER LIBEL CASE IN THE UK!
Defamation is when someone says or publishes something that makes people think badly of you or your business, damaging your reputation and feelings. Defamation can be of two types: libel or slander. Libel covers permanent publications such as written allegations, allegations broadcast on the television or radio, or posted on a website or the internet. Slander is spoken words or gestures.
There are various defences to Defamation including that the comments were true or involved honest comment.
We can represent you in a claim for Defamation because of statements made in:
- Newspaper, magazine or Press articles;
- Television and radio broadcasts;
- E-mails;
- Internet Defamation; Twitter, Facebook, Linked-In, Websites and chat rooms;
- Speeches or through the spoken word;
- Employee references in the workplace.
We are also at the forefront of new media issues and regularly advises clients on all aspects of internet law, including blogs, social networking sites, downloads and podcasts. We have been credited as the Solicitors who won the first Twitter Libel case in the UK ("Twibel") in March 2011.
If you have been, or expect to be, defamed we shall:
- Seek to persuade a publisher or broadcaster to change its intended story or even to decide not to publish it at all or in default of that seek to obtain an injunction to prevent publication.
- Obtain an injunction to prevent further publication.
- Secure damages.
- Ensure suitable apologies are published.
- Work with any PR agencies facing hostile and sustained media interest.
Please note you only have one year from the date of the publication to bring a claim, unless the Court accepts there were exceptional reasons for not doing so.
Privacy Law
In addition to Defamation, we also have considerable experience of:
- Privacy law;
- Confidentiality;
- Trade secrets; and
- Malicious falsehood.
So if you believe private and confidential information about you or your business is about to be or has been published which should have remained private and confidential, we can help to avoid such information getting into the public domain.
Funding
Where appropriate we can act under Conditional Fee Agreements (popularly known as 'no win, no fee' agreements) and secure for you After the Event Insurance ('ATE Insurance') to protect you against having to pay your opponents legal costs if you were to lose your case.
URGENT ACTION TO PREVENT PUBLICATION
We can act for you in urgent applications out of Court hours, including Friday evenings and Saturdays ahead of publication in a Sunday newspaper if you seek an Order for privacy and confidence. We are "on call" every weekend and will, if appropriate, arrange for a hearing out of usual Court hours with a Duty Judge. Our emergency number is 07811 208211.
Personal Injury Panel Accredited
Express Service
Do you need to see us urgently? If so, quote "Express Service" when telephoning us and we shall offer you an appointment within 24 hours during our normal business hours. That's just part of the JMD LAW service.