Defamation
A person’s reputation often takes years to build and yet it can be destroyed in an instant. This risk has been hugely exacerbated by the speed and permanence of online publications and social media, alongside traditional media outlets.
The power and reach of sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) mean that an individual’s reputation can be badly damaged or even destroyed at the click of a button. Ill-thought or malicious comments can stay online permanently and be amplified by search engines such as Google. As well as being a search engine, Google also provides the framework for blogs and user-generated content, which can also be defamatory.
At Taylor Hampton, we deal with all of these matters as part of our practice. Our defamation solicitors in London are experts in the fields of defamation (libel and slander), malicious falsehood, and data privacy and private information protection. We represent individuals, family offices, professionals, and businesses whose reputations are under threat.
The quicker we can act, the better the outcome. The best way to protect your reputation and defend yourself from defamation is to prevent an allegation from being published in the first place.
Our team has successfully prevented articles from appearing by urgently corresponding with authors, editors, and publishers before publication to set the record straight. Where urgent steps are needed, we move fast to protect your reputation.
If a defamatory story or review has already been published online, we work tirelessly to ensure it is removed quickly. In many cases, we can secure takedowns from publishers, social media platforms, or search engines.
Where required, we can even trace the culprits behind anonymous posts. Online anonymity is not a barrier, courts can order disclosure of identities, allowing us to hold wrongdoers accountable.
If a defamatory statement has already been broadcast, printed, or published online, we can insist on:
This is often enough to set the record straight without needing lengthy and expensive court proceedings.
Where pre-publication or negotiation cannot resolve matters, we are defamation experts with a very strong record of litigating defamation cases.
Remedies may include:
For a defamation claim to succeed, certain conditions must be met:
Because defamation law is complex and technical, it is vital to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
We also specialise in the fast-moving area of online defamation. This includes:
If you’re facing reputational harm, swift action is essential. Contact Taylor Hampton’s expert defamation solicitors in London for confidential, practical advice.
Yes. If the review is false and damaging, we can act to remove it and seek compensation.
Usually one year from the date of publication.
Yes. Courts can order disclosure of identities, even where the author hides behind anonymity.
Libel is written/published; slander is spoken. Both can be defamatory.
Injunctions, apologies, removal of material, damages, and legal costs.
Taylor Hampton is London’s leading Award Winning Privacy, Defamation and Phone Hacking Solicitors.
Taylor Hampton have successfully acted in the following cases:
Sylvia Henry, the Baby P Social Worker, in her successful action against the Sun in relation to 80 highly defamatory articles. The Sun was forced to apologise to Ms Henry, both in Court and in print, and to pay her substantial damages and her costs.
Antonio Serrano, a GP, in his claim for defamation against the Daily Mail after the paper falsely ran a story condemning his treatment of a patient. The paper ran a story under the headline, “A whole year of hell, thanks to a foreign doctor”. Dr Serrano was fully vindicated by the Court and was awarded substantial damages and his costs.
Dr Sarah Thornton, an author and academic, who was libelled by the Daily Telegraph. This was a landmark case which changed the law. It led to the important test of “substantial damage to reputation” being required in order to found a libel action. This subsequently contributed to the enactment of the “serious harm” test in the Defamation Act 2013. It was also notable because general damages were awarded for malicious falsehood for the first time in many years.
Bruno Lachaux, a French aerospace engineer residing in the UAE, in his claims for defamation against the Independent Print Limited, the “i” Newspaper, the Evening Standard and AOL (UK) Ltd, otherwise known as the Huffington Post. This is another landmark case in the law of libel, having been one of the first to test the requirement for ‘serious harm’ under the Defamation Act 2013.