Liable and Slander

[tezza1234]

Hi again all, wasnt sure where to put this thread so please move if needed.

 

Now as most of you may know i am self employed, i work in a service industry.

 

Where would i stand with regards to suing a individual for slander or liable.

 

I advertise in many ways but one way (as its free) is social media, there is 3-4 people who seem to have taken a disliking to me and they are literally trying to ruin my business by spreading outright lies, which unfortunately people are believing.

 

I have already had 6 jobs cancelled in a week as a direct result of the lies these few people are spreading. Am i right in thinking slander is spoken and liable is written.

 

Ive had enough, i want to sue these people to make them think twice.

[citizenB]

Have sent you pm.

 

Yes, you are correct.. slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written defamation).

[daipp]

Slander and libel are both very complicated and specialist areas of law; therefore VERY expensive to pursue.

 

Your best bet is to speak to a solicitor and ask hat a warning letter is sent. That MAY bring an end to your problems. If not, I hope you have very deep pockets.

[steampowered]

If you know who these people are and have their address, you can send them a cease and desist letter.

 

If not, it is more complicated, since you would have to get their details from the website ... and the site might require a court order for this.

[Ganymede]

What is it they are saying about you?

[ericsbrother]

Use the report button on the social network page and ask the company to remove the libellous comments. If they dont there is normally a procedure where you make an affidavit that what is written about you is libellous and get it witnessed by a solicitor and then they will pull it down. The point of this is the website is liable and can be sued as well as the person making the comments and the web co has money to lose where the individual may not necessarily be worth chasing. If it comes to it, you can get a court order to have the comments removed and the person can be gaolled for contempt of court of they dont obey.

If you can prove a link between the libel and the lost work then there are many lawyers who will work on a conditional fee basis (insurance premium and then no win no fee).

Edited August 20, 2013 by honeybee13
Lawyers' name removed