Has anyone ever started proceedings to sue someone?

[Calvados]

Has anyone on here ever sued someone because of something that was said, or been accused of? I am considering taking legal action against someone over an accusation that is totally untrue and quite scurrilous. If you did, how did you proceed? And what was the outcome?

[Ethel]

Sueing for slander or libel is a hugely expensive business that serves little or no purpose. In fact it compounds the problem - aggravating it rather than ignoring it and letting it pass.

I suggest you read this:

http://www.carter-ruck.com/FAQs/Libel%20and%20 Slander%20Cases.html


Is this person harassing you in any way?

[Calvados]

Thanks Ethel, that's a useful web site. I am not being harrassed but someone has accused me of something, in the presence of others, that could be very detremental to a position that I hold. In all honesty, I would not expect to go to court on this, but I want to introduce an element of legality to show that I mean business. At that point, I would expect a retraction and an apology. That is all I want really. I am prepared to pay for legal advice, but as I said, I wouldn't expect it to go further.

[Peter Pedant]

well the area is Libel and Slander
i agree with Ethel you know

For Slander - spoken I am pretty sure you need to show special damage - ie that you have been damaged rather than it is likely people think you are ...it (whatever you have been accused off)

DONT is my advice

DONT even threaten
Just say it is not true if you get a chance which means it is being raked up again.

Remember what George Carman used to say - you only sue in libel if you have done it.

( N B Gillian Taylofrth who lost her case I think)

Forget it - it is just not that important


Lord Aldington - he was the one implicated in the Mininster and the Massacres with Count Tolstoy - got Sun ALliance to underwrite his action, to the tune of � 1 000 000. Now dead, and I have to say HE was widely supposed to have been involved in sending the Cossacks back to the Russians knowing they would be massacred.

hOw do you do it : you go along to Messrs Carter Ruck with a cheque for at least � 10 000 for starters and they will do it for you.

[almcd007]

You would be better off writing a letter to all involved informing them of what was said/believed to have been said and informing them that it was not true and you are seeking an apology from the accuser. That way it initiates an element of doubt about what was said and is far better off than threatening legal action. Seek an apology from the accuser or clarification of what was said - if they dothis then send a copy to all involved proving your point.

I was threatened with slander once ( for a start it has to be untrue - all I said was true and backed up evidentially) when I received the letter from the solicitor I sent one back stating that I would love to be sued so I can prove my point the person couldnt afford the �100k or so to do so and made their solicitors look like fools for sending the letter in the first place.

[Suetheramble]

I heard somewhere that it is not slander if it is said to someone's face. That 2 me would make sense because you can defend yourself at the time and ask them to prove their accusations.