Libel laws

Libel laws usually refer to the complex set of statute and cases which make up the legal framework of libel. Libel laws are a part of tort law. The guiding principle for tort is that it is an area of law which allows one party (known as a claimant) to bring a claim against another party (a defendant) without having a previous relationship with that party. The defendant in tort is seen to owe a duty of care to the claimant simply because of the circumstances which led to the claim.

In defamation, the circumstances are that the defendant has made a statement which injures the reputation of the claimant. If the defendant can prove the statement is true than this is accepted as a valid defence known as justification; the rationale being that the reputation was inflated in the first place and does not deserve the court’s protection. Libel law forms a significant part of defamation law as defamatory statements are usually categorised as either libel, when permanent modes of communications are used, or slander, when temporary (e.g. verbal) communication is used.

In practice, however, libel laws are very similar to slander. If you are seeking compensation for a defamatory statement someone has made against you, you should be aware of the high costs associated with defamation claims. These costs often prevent valid claims from being filed. There is a fair amount of criticism regarding this as it is seen to be a violation of Article 6 of the European Convention.

If you would like to obtain legal advice on libel laws, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local Defamation Solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local Defamation Solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.