Business lost due to defamation

[Wickedwooser]

Over the last 6 months I have been dealing with defamatory comments being made about me on the internet by a third party. Just before Christmas my business collapsed as a result of this. I am desperately seeking advice on what I can do about it because the third party should not be allowed to get away with what they have done. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[efpom]

You state that the words published on the internet are defamatory. With respect, whilst you may believe that those words are defamatory, a judge may not agree with you.

There are four principal defences in defamation proceedings: Truth, Honest Opinion, Publication as a matter of Public Interest and Privilege (Qualified or Absolute.)

You have provided no details of the asserted instances of defamation and you provide no details about how that asserted defamation caused "your" business to fold. You have also given no details about that whether that business had a separate legal personality.

As a business person, I assume you know the difference between natural and legal personality.

Be that as it may, be aware that an award of general damages is usually much less than the costs involved in bringing any action in defamation.

Further, an award of special damages is quite rare. That is because of the inherent difficulty in proving consequential loss.