Defamation Claims Solicitors

Defamation can have a seriously damaging impact on a business in many different ways, including effecting its reputation and inflicting financial losses. No matter what the defamation refers to, it’s crucial to have it promptly resolved to protect your business.

Defamation claims are complex, and where you are involved, it’s crucial to immediately seek legal support. No matter the type of defamation your business is facing, our solicitors have the knowledge to help, no matter whether it’s a simple or straightforward matter to resolve.

Our team at Stephen Rimmer understand the worry that comes with a defamation statement, but we are here to support you. With years of combined experience assisting in a range of defamation claims, we have the expertise to provide quality advice and assistance in making a defamation claim for your business.

During your initial meeting, we will take the time to carefully understand the matter at hand and the impact it has had on your business. Once we are aware of this, we can tailor our advice to specifically suit your needs. We will provide clear and practical guidance to find an appropriate resolution to swiftly resolve the matter and ensure that it does not escalate and further damage your reputation, operations, or finances.

How we can help with defamation claims

Dealing with a defamation claim alone is never an easy situation, and for that reason, we always recommend that you seek guidance straightaway from a defamation claims solicitor, who can provide clear, plain, and pragmatic advice. With our assistance, we can provide you with the reassurance that matters will be resolved in a cost-effective and timely manner.

• Draft a cease and desist letter
• Apply to the court for a defamation injunction
• Provide advice and assistance with alternative dispute resolution methods
• Guide you through the Pre-action Protocol for Media and Communication Claims process
• Prepare for court litigation and represent you

Consult our defamation claims solicitors in Eastbourne and Hastings

For clear, expert redundancy advice, please contact a member of our commercial litigation team for a no obligation discussion:

• Call: 01323 434416
• Email: enquiries@stephenrimmer.com
• Or pay us a visit at 21 Lushington Road, Eastbourne BN21 4LG

For more information on our services, see our commercial litigation page.

Defamation claims FAQs

What is defamation?

Defamation is an untrue statement communicated by one individual or a group about a person or business. The statement can be severely damaging, causing widespread disruption to the lives of everybody involved.

When it comes to defamation, there are two different types, and these are identified as:

Libel – Libel is ‘permanent’ defamation done through the means of publication, such as newspapers, TV or online

Slander – Slander is defamation that is verbal words and/or gestures

How do you prove defamation?

For a defamation claim to be made and be successful, the statement must be proved as defamatory, which means that:

• The statement of defamation must be false
• The statement of defamation must cause harm to the affected party
• The claimant must prove the defamatory statement refers to them or the business – this is usually easy to prove, especially where the statement names them or the business

Even where the individual or business is not named through libel or slander, it is still possible to prove that they have a claim for defamation. If a significant number of people recognise the defamation refers to you or your business, this can be sufficient proof.

What is the process of resolving a defamation matter?

There are several different ways you can attempt to resolve a defamation matter, including the following:

Creating a cease and desist letter

The first attempt of having a defamatory statement removed, so it no longer imposes any problems is by issuing what is known as a cease and desist letter. This demands that the individual or group responsible entirely removes the content and ensures no further defamatory statements are published in the future.

Defamation injunction

If a defamatory statement has already been published and you suspect the likelihood of another being published is high, then it is possible to apply to court for an injunction. A defamation injunction prevents any more defamatory statements from being made.

It’s unlikely any further defamatory actions will be taken because, if an individual breaks the injunction, they could be liable to receive a fine or even be imprisoned.

Unfortunately, receiving such an injunction from the court is difficult, meaning other actions might be more realistic.

Private negotiation

Occasionally trying to resolve a defamation matter can be challenging, particularly where the person or group who made the statement refuses to retract/remove it.

If you need assistance with private negotiation, our defamation solicitors are exceptional at negotiating and seeking an outcome that suits you and the other party involved. Often where the individual or group completely removes the defamatory content.

Pre-action protocol for media and communication claims

A pre-action protocol is the step prior to court proceedings and is an alternative way to resolve a dispute without the need to go to court. It’s there to encourage the involved parties to attempt to find an outcome outside of court by having a productive discussion.

Civil proceedings

During defamation cases, there may come the point where civil court proceedings are necessary, especially when you have attempted everything else without success.

Court proceedings are usually not required, but on the off chance they are, our solicitors have extensive experience representing clients, starting with preparation through to presenting your argument and supporting evidence.

How much can you claim for defamation?

Like with most claims, how much you can claim for will entirely depend on the circumstances surrounding the defamatory statement and the impact it has had.

Once it has been proved that the statement was defamatory, the affected individual or business will be eligible to make a claim and receive defamation compensation. The compensation received should generally cover the damage to their reputation and take into account any distress and humiliation that they have suffered as a result of the statement.

The court will take into consideration certain factors when making a calculation of what defamation compensation the claimant can receive, including:

The seriousness of the libel or slander – such as the impact it has had on the individual or businesses reputation

The extent of the publication – for example, how many people have seen the defamatory statement

Our defamation claims solicitors’ fees

At Stephen Rimmer, we always aim to be completely transparent and competitive with our fees, ensuring they reflect our commitment.

Where cases are more straightforward to resolve, we are able to offer our fees on a fixed fee basis, which means you can be completely aware of the fees from the start. There are certain legal cases that are more complicated than others, and where this applies, we will charge on an hourly basis that reflects the legal expertise needed.

Find out more about our hourly rates and the way we charge for our work.

Speak to our defamation claims solicitors in Eastbourne and Hastings

From our offices in Eastbourne and Hastings, our team advises businesses all across East Sussex, including in Bexhill-on-Sea, Hailsham, Polegate, Battle, Pevensey and St Leonards-on-Sea.

To find out how we can help with defamation claims for businesses, please contact our expert team now:

• Call: 01323 434416
• Email: enquiries@stephenrimmer.com
• Or pay us a visit at 21 Lushington Road, Eastbourne BN21 4LG