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Dispute Resolution

Defamation & Reputation Management Solicitors

Chun Wong
Chun Wong
Partner
Ruhul Ameen
Ruhul Ameen
Partner
Bahareh Amani
Bahareh Amani
Partner
Karolina Kupczyk
Karolina Kupczyk
Partner
Reema Chugh
Reema Chugh
Partner
Brenel Menezes
Brenel Menezes
Senior Associate
Declan Storrar
Declan Storrar
Solicitor
Hannah Buchalter
Hannah Buchalter
Trainee
Maisam Naqvi
Maisam Naqvi
Paralegal
Simran Gupta
Paralegal

Losing your good reputation can have a serious impact on both your professional and private lives.

Your personal reputation is very important to us, so we’ll fight to help you protect it. Our specialist lawyers regularly assist high-profile clients and those in the public eye to protect their good name.

What is reputation management?

Reputation management is the process of handling how the public perceive you. If someone has made comments about you (online or in other forms) that are unflattering or defamatory, we can advise on whether their statements are defamatory, and whether they can be removed or retracted.

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What is defamation?

Defamation is defined as an untrue statement that tarnishes the reputation of someone (or a company) in the eyes of right-thinking individuals. It can be divided into either slander or libel, depending on how the comments are made.

The offending statements have to be published or communicated to a third party.

Contact our specialist team on
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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What’s the difference between libel and slander?

If a defamatory comment is written down, such as on social media, it’s libel. If the same defamatory comment is spoken, it’s considered slander. Both libel and slander are types of defamation and can have serious effects on your reputation. You can find out more about defamation on social media in our guide.

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Making a defamation claim

Suing for defamation can be a lengthy process, depending on whether the other party involved accepts fault or not.

Before you go to court, you’ll need to give them the opportunity to apologise. Often, the matter can be resolved with a retraction or an apology and you can avoid the expense and inconvenience of going to court.

If they deny the allegation, say their statement is true, or ignore the correspondence, you may want to take them to court. At this point, our experienced legal team will help you decide whether your claim is likely to succeed if you choose to issue proceedings to the High Court. We’ll support you, advise you on the options available and keep you updated on the estimated cost of pursuing your case.

Contact our specialist team on
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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Defamation on social media

Social media is a common area where defamatory statements are published, with users often feeling free to voice their opinions and thoughts without worrying about any consequences. A defamatory statement can be made on social media and published to thousands of people within seconds. 

If your case concerns a comment made on social media, we can advise you on whether the website owner should be asked to remove it or if the person who made the offending comment should be pursued.

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Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen?

Access to top-tier legal professionals who truly appreciate the reputational impact of defamation is crucial. Our defamation lawyers have more than 40 years of experience in defamation, data protection and privacy law. We understand the importance of your public image and we know how to maintain it. 

We will advise you on how best to protect your reputation and ensure your good name is preserved. Our leading lawyers provide legal advice tailored to your individual circumstances and requirements, advising you on the best course of action to take.

We’ll advise you on whether your case is likely to succeed, as well as any potential risks or costs associated with taking further legal action. We understand the importance of your reputation, so we’ll deal with your case respectfully and discreetly, working diligently to secure the best possible outcome for you.

Contact our specialist team on
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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Featured Cases

Defamation & Reputation

Our client, an accountant, was accused of being unprofessional, dishonest and overcharging for his services. The comments were made online via Google on the business’s review section. As the comments were anonymous, Hodge Jones & Allen lawyers contacted Google to instruct them to remove the offending post. They initially refused, citing the fact that the post didn’t breach their terms and conditions. We issued a formal takedown notice to their head office, highlighting their responsibilities under English law. The post was removed, and the matter settled without the need to head to court.

Defamation & Reputation

We acted for a limited company. One of their employees was being harassed online and through the post by a third party. The third party had already been warned by the police about their behaviour but this did not stop them from continuing a campaign of harassment against our client’s employee.We applied to court for an injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 without notice to the harasser. This was granted and upheld at two further hearings. Eventually the harasser was also ordered to pay our client’s costs of the action.

Business Defamation

GOOGLE REVIEW: Our client was an accountant who was accused of being unprofessional, dishonest and overcharging for his services via reviews left on Google business review section. As the comments were anonymous, Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors contacted Google to instruct them to remove the offending post. They initially refused, citing the fact that the post didn’t breach their terms and conditions. Our defamation solicitors later issued a takedown notice to Google’s head office, highlighting the responsibilities of the company under English law. As a result, the offending post was removed and the matter resolved without the need for court proceedings.

Business Defamation

ONLINE HARRASSMENT: We were instructed by a limited company whose employee was being harassed online and through the post. The third party had already been warned by the police about their behaviour but this did not stop them from continuing the harassment. Our defamation solicitors applied for an injunction under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 without notice to the individual. This was granted and upheld at two further hearings. The third party was also eventually ordered to pay our client’s costs.

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Frequently asked questions on defamation

What is harassment?

Harassment is defined by the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 as “a course of conduct which amounts to harassment which the perpetrator knows or ought to know amounts to harassment”. This can include threats made online on social media and through email as well as harassment in real life. We regularly advise people who have been subject to harassing behaviour from third parties.

I’m receiving unpleasant or threatening emails or social media posts, what can I do?

In such cases it may be possible to stop the behaviour of the harassing third-party with a formal letter known as a “cease and desist letter”. If this doesn’t stop the harassing behaviour it may be necessary to issue proceedings under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and obtain a harassment injunction. This is an injunction that orders them to stop their harassing behaviour. If they don’t stop, legal action for contempt of court can be brought against them.

How much does an injunction cost?

Injunctions can be necessary when trying to resolve defamation cases. The costs of issuing an injunction differs depending on the amount of available evidence. Our specialist team will be able to give you a breakdown of the costs and advise you on the best course of action.

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