Defamation
Defamation Claims (Libel and Slander)
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Defamation law exists to protect individuals and businesses against false statements that harm their reputation. Defamation can take the form of libel (written or published statements, including online posts and broadcasts) or slander (spoken statements in a transient form). In England and Wales, a claimant must meet a statutory serious harm requirement for a defamation claim, the statement must have caused (or be likely to cause) serious harm to your reputation (and for a business, this means serious financial loss) under the Defamation Act 2013. If you have suffered from libel or slander, our specialist defamation solicitors can act swiftly to protect your rights to prevent an imminent publication to issuing High Court proceedings for damages after publication.
At Carruthers Law solicitors, we have over 30 years of experience resolving defamation, libel, slander, and privacy disputes across England and Wales. We act quickly and effectively to limit the damage to your name. If a defamation or privacy issue cannot be resolved immediately by negotiation or a published retraction, we will take prompt, forceful legal action to defend your reputation. We guide you through the process with skill and minimum fuss. Your case will be led by a senior lawyer (supported by junior team members to minimise costs), ensuring you receive expert attention at all times. Our team is available seven days a week for urgent matters, so you never have to wait for timely advice.
We have successfully handled defamation claims against major newspapers, broadcasters, and online publishers, achieving apologies, retractions and compensation for our clients. We can quickly assess whether you have grounds for a libel or slander claim, including advising on the serious harm requirement and anticipating any defamation defences a publisher might raise (such as truth or honest opinion). If you believe you have been defamed, we will provide clear, pragmatic guidance on your options and the best strategy to restore your reputation.
We provide expert legal advice on libel, slander and all aspects of defamation law across England and Wales.
Need urgent advice on a defamation issue? Contact our team today or call 0203 846 2862 / 0151 541 2040.
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Our defamation and litigation team offers:
Over 30 years’ experience in defamation, libel, slander and media law
Track record of success in complex and high-profile cases (including many successful claims against all major national and local newspaper groups and broadcasters)
Specialist expertise in related areas such as privacy, malicious falsehood and reputation management
Personal service, your claim handled directly by a senior defamation solicitor
Responsive support, we are available 7 days a week for urgent issues
Free initial consultation to assess your case and explain how we can help and no win no fee and other funding arrangements if appropriate after assessment of your case.
Types of defamation cases we handle
Our experienced defamation solicitors can assist with all types of defamation and related reputation matters, including:
Libel claims:
False and defamatory statements in writing or other permanent forms (e.g. newspapers, magazines, books, websites, blogs, social media, TV or radio broadcasts).
Online defamation:
Libellous or slanderous material published on the internet, including posts on social media platforms, forums, review sites, or sent via email.
Business defamation and trade libel:
Damaging false allegations against companies or professionals (for example, untrue reviews or false claims by competitors), especially those causing serious financial loss to a business’s reputation.
Malicious falsehood:
False statements made maliciously that cause financial loss, even if the words aren’t strictly “defamatory” (we can advise on this as an alternative or addition to a defamation claim). See our Malicious falsehood guide.
Privacy and misuse of private information:
Unauthorised use or publication of private or confidential information, often overlapping with defamation or dealt with as separate privacy claims to protect personal information.Read our Guide to Privacy and misuse of private information.
Harassment by publication
Patterns of hostile or intrusive conduct by the media or individuals (such as relentless press hounding or online smear campaigns) which may be addressed via defamation law or under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Pre-publication advice:
Legal vetting of articles, books, broadcasts or social media content before release to prevent libel or privacy breaches and avoid potential claims.
Injunctions and content removal:
Urgent legal action to remove defamatory content from websites or to stop an impending publication, as well as securing published apologies or corrections to mitigate ongoing damage.
If your situation involves any false or harmful statement that has damaged your reputation, chances are we have the expertise to handle it. We also advise on related media law issues such as breach of confidence and data protection breaches arising from publication of personal information. Whatever the nature of the defamatory allegation or reputational issue, our team will tailor our approach to achieve the best outcome for you.
How defamation claims work
Pre-Action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims
Before issuing a defamation lawsuit, we will guide you through the Pre-Action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims, which is the pre-court procedure for defamation, privacy, and media disputes. The first step is to prepare a detailed Letter of Claim to send to the person or organisation responsible for the defamatory statement. This letter sets out the facts of your case, the exact words you are complaining about and their defamatory meaning, why they are false, and how they have caused (or are likely to cause) serious harm to your reputation. We ensure the letter complies with the protocol – including giving the opponent a reasonable chance to respond – while still pressing for a prompt resolution.
Following the Protocol often leads to a quick settlement without the need for court proceedings. It encourages both sides to exchange information and consider early resolution. Our defamation solicitors will handle all pre-action communications for you, presenting a compelling case that you have been defamed and demanding appropriate remedies (such as an apology, removal of the statement, and compensation). In many instances, a strong letter of claim and skilful negotiation can resolve the matter at this stage. If the publisher offers to settle, we will evaluate whether their offer truly addresses the harm done to you. If not, we won’t hesitate to push for stronger action to protect your interests.See our guide on Pre-Action Protocol for Media and Communications Claims.
Alternative dispute resolution and settlements
Not every defamation case ends up in court. In fact, many libel and slander disputes are resolved privately through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Our priority is to achieve your desired outcome as efficiently as possible. We are adept at engaging with defendants (or their legal teams) to secure swift retractions, corrections and apologies, and to negotiate financial settlements that compensate you for the damage to your reputation. See our Guide on ADR.
Court proceedings
If the opponent refuses to accept liability or to offer an acceptable resolution, it may become necessary to escalate the matter and issue court proceedings for defamation. Should that happen, you can be confident that our team will robustly pursue your case through the courts. We will draft a detailed Particulars of Claim setting out your case and formally commence a libel or slander claim in the High Court (King’s Bench Division). Once proceedings are issued, the court will set a timetable for the litigation, and we will represent you at each stage.See our guide on the Court System and Court Tracks.
Our defamation solicitors work closely with you to gather all evidence needed to prove your claim. This can include witness statements (for example, from people who read or heard the defamatory statement), documentation of how the publication spread, and evidence of the impact on you or your business (such as lost clients, lost opportunities, or distress caused). We may also engage specialist defamation barristers (advocates) to present your case in court, as is common in High Court libel trials. We handle all procedural requirements – from disclosure of documents to preparing court bundles and witness evidence, and keep you informed at every turn. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible for you. See how Courts Determine Meaning in Defamation Cases. See our guide to a Typical Litigation claim.
If the case proceeds to a trial, we ensure you have the best available representation and a strong case strategy to maximise your chances of success. In some situations, even after proceedings have started, a settlement may be reached before trial, we remain open to advantageous settlement opportunities at any stage, provided they meet your needs. We prepare thoroughly for trial while continuously assessing any opportunity to resolve the case early.See our guide to giving your witness evidence.
If you win your defamation case, the court can award you damages (monetary compensation) and may order the defendant to publish a summary of the judgment or a suitable apology. We will also seek to recover your legal costs from the defendant, as is typical when a claim succeeds. In the rare event that new defamatory material emerges during the case, we can apply for interim injunctions or court orders to address it. After a judgment in your favour, we will advise you on enforcement to ensure you receive any damages and costs awarded.
In situations where a court decision is unsatisfactory, we can also advise on appeals. However, our primary goal is to resolve the dispute successfully at the earliest stage possible – whether through a strong settlement or a decisive court victory – so that you can move forward with your reputation vindicated.
Read some recent Defamation cases
Clarke v Guardian News and Media Ltd [2025]
Defamation FAQs
What do I need to prove to succeed in a defamation claim?
To bring a successful defamation claim (whether libel or slander), generally you will need to show that:
• Defamatory content: A false statement was made that has a defamatory meaning – i.e. it would likely lower your reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of society or expose you to hatred, contempt or ridicule.
• Reference to you: The statement referred to you (or your business) specifically. This is usually obvious if you are named, but if not, you must show that people who know you would understand the words to be about you.
• Publication to a third party: The statement was published or communicated to at least one person other than you. (For written statements, even a social media post seen by others counts; for slander, the slanderous words must have been heard by someone else.)
• Serious harm: The publication has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to your reputation. This is a legal threshold introduced by the Defamation Act 2013 to prevent trivial claims. For an individual, “serious harm” typically means serious reputational damage (which can sometimes be inferred from the circumstances or evidenced by things like changed attitudes or lost opportunities). See our guide to serious harm.
For a company trading for profit, serious harm is defined as serious financial loss resulting from the defamatory statement.
If these elements are present, you may have a valid defamation claim.
What is the difference between libel and slander?
Libel and slander are two forms of defamation. Libel is defamation in a permanent form – typically written or published statements. Examples of libel include false allegations in newspapers or magazines, online articles, social media posts, emails, or even TV and radio broadcasts (broadcasts are treated as libel because they are recorded). Slander, on the other hand, is defamation in a transient (impermanent) form – usually spoken words or gestures.
What is the “serious harm” requirement under the Defamation Act 2013?
The serious harm requirement is a key element of current UK defamation law. Section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013 provides that a statement is not defamatory unless its publication has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the claimant’s reputation. In practice, this has raised the bar for bringing a defamation claim – a case will be dismissed if the alleged defamation is trivial or the impact on reputation is insignificant.
When determining if this threshold is met, the court will assess factors like the nature of the allegation, the extent of publication, and any evidence of actual consequences. For example, a mildly derogatory comment seen by only a handful of people might not meet the test of “serious harm,” whereas a false accusation of serious misconduct published widely almost certainly would. For companies or other corporate claimants, the Act specifies that serious harm requires proof of serious financial loss resulting from the publication. This reflects that a business’s reputation is primarily commercial – a company must show the defamatory statement has caused (or will likely cause) substantial financial damage, such as lost customers or revenue. If it cannot demonstrate a likely serious financial loss, the claim will not be allowed to proceed.
How long do I have to bring a defamation claim?
Defamation claims are subject to a one-year limitation period in England and Wales. In other words, you normally have one year from the date of publication of the defamatory statement to issue a claim in court. This one-year limit is much shorter than most other legal claims. The clock generally starts ticking from the first publication of the statement.
It is crucial not to delay if you believe you have been defamed. Missing the one-year deadline can bar you from bringing a claim entirely. In some exceptional cases, the court has discretion to allow a defamation claim outside the one-year period, but such extensions are rare and only granted where it would be equitable to do so. Generally, judges are very reluctant to disapply the time limit in defamation cases because of the public interest in resolving reputational matters promptly.
Will I have to go to court to get a result?
Not necessarily. In fact, a large proportion of defamation cases are settled out of court and never reach a full trial. Our goal is to achieve the best outcome for you while avoiding unnecessary litigation if possible.
By following the Pre-Action Protocol and engaging in negotiations, we frequently resolve matters through correspondence alone. Publishers may agree to take down the offending material, publish an apology or correction, and pay an agreed sum in damages and costs – all without the case ever going before a judge.
• We will give you our view on a realistic compensation range for your case and will strive to secure the maximum appropriate sum for you. (Learn more about damages in defamation claims)
• Apology or Correction: An apology, retraction or published correction can be extremely important – in many cases, claimants value a clear public vindication even more than money. As part of a settlement (or sometimes ordered by the court), the defendant might publish a formal apology or a statement acknowledging that the claims were false. This helps to set the record straight publicly. We always seek a suitable apology or clarification where appropriate – for instance, a follow-up statement or article making clear that the previous allegations were untrue. In many cases we handle, obtaining a swift apology and removal of the defamatory material is a top priority.
• Injunctions: In some circumstances, the court can grant an injunction to prevent the publication of defamatory material or to stop further publication of an existing defamatory statement. Courts are cautious about granting interim injunctions (before trial) in defamation cases because of the importance of free speech – an injunction will only be issued if the court is convinced the statement is clearly defamatory, false, and that there is no valid defence (like truth) available. However, if those conditions are met (for example, if someone threatens to publish a blatantly false and harmful story about you), an injunction can be granted to block it. More commonly, injunctions are used once you have won your case or as part of a settlement – for instance, an order that the defendant must not republish the libel, or that an offending online post be taken down and not reposted. We can also sometimes obtain court orders to remove defamatory content from websites or search results (for example, a judgment declaring the content unlawful, which can be provided to web hosts or platforms to facilitate removal). Injunctive relief is a powerful tool to protect you from ongoing or repeated defamation.
In addition to the above, if your case goes all the way to trial and you win, the court’s judgment itself serves as a form of vindication – a public record that the allegations against you were defamatory and unlawful. Furthermore, you would normally be entitled to recover a large portion of your legal costs from the defendant if you succeed. Our approach in every case is to pursue whatever combination of remedies will achieve full redress for you. We want you to come away with your reputation restored and the wrongdoing acknowledged by the other side.
Speak to our defamation solicitors now
Speak to a Defamation Solicitor Today
If you believe you have been defamed or are facing a defamation claim, we can help. Our experienced team at Carruthers Law offers clear, strategic advice on libel, slander, and all aspects of defamation law in England and Wales.
You can contact us on: 0203 846 2862 or 0151 541 2040
Email us at info@carruthers-law.co.uk or complete our short enquiry form via the contact page.