Untrue rumours that I am wanted by the police.

[robox72]

A quick question to those in the know.
My ex fiancée whilst I was out of the country, spread rumours that I was wanted by the police, as you can imagine this caused me some anxiety. I believe she also communicated this to her solicitor that is representing her in a small claims court, and this information was used in a statement in court papers. When I returned and contacted the police to see what I was wanted for, I found this to be untrue. Do I have any legal recourse against this ?
Thanks in advance.

[Swampy1982]

Spread rumours to who, and how?

[elanfan]

If you have proof and a deep wallet then sue her for slander.

[robox72]

Swampy
To her friends and family, mutual friends and anyone that cared to listen. It was more the fact that it was written on a statement to the small claims court by her solicitor that irked me. As it portrayed me in a bad light. Friends and family etc I assume it was verbally. But if the solicitor wrote it down, one would assume he has a duty to check his facts first ?

[robox72]

Elanfan
Yes. I gather it can be a expensive procedure. I just wondered if it could be used as a way of saying look, you overstepped the mark, and stop trying to portray me in a bad light or else. I know that in some instances certain legal documents carry ' privelege ' which allows people to say things without any comeback. I was just curious really. To be honest I haven't really got the time or the inclination to go down that route.

[carinatauk]

robox72 said:

A quick question to those in the know.
My ex fiancée whilst I was out of the country, spread rumours that I was wanted by the police, as you can imagine this caused me some anxiety. I believe she also communicated this to her solicitor that is representing her in a small claims court, and this information was used in a statement in court papers. When I returned and contacted the police to see what I was wanted for, I found this to be untrue. Do I have any legal recourse against this ?
Thanks in advance.

What was the small claims court procedure? If it is in the court papers, contact the relevant court and explain the truth, they won't be too bothered, however you never know.

Claiming for slander is an expensive court action.

[TooMany2cvs]

robox72 said:

But if the solicitor wrote it down, one would assume he has a duty to check his facts first ?

No, he's merely presenting his client's claim.

It's for the court to judge the accuracy of the representations of the two sides, which will inevitably disagree in many details - some factually.

Did you lose the claim? Did this "rumour" contribute to that?

[xjay1337]

If it's not true, it's not nice to do.

Certainly misrepresentation but if you really want to make her pay then sue her for slander but as mentioned it can be very expensive and it's not a certain victory by any means.

[majordad]

Sue her for libel

[daveinhampshire]

No libel, small claims is not an open court and proving you were damaged by the statement between a lawyer and a judge seeing it would be impossible. You may have more luck reporting the matter to the police for harrasement especially if there is a statement claiming they are looking for you, it's a much cheaper and more permanent option but not to be used by time wasters on a in/out relationship basis.

[konark]

Spread some nasty rumours about her.

[chalda]

robox72 said:

It was more the fact that it was written on a statement to the small claims court by her solicitor that irked me.

You have her lying in written. This may be helpful sometime in the future.

[robox72]

Thank you everyone for your advice. I will probably take no further action, as I stated before I really can't be bothered. However depending on her behaviour in the near future it might be handy to keep this noted. Thanks again.