Defamation Act

[hunton69]

If you have a bad experience with a building company can you make that public. The reason I ask is most companies will give you recommendations for there satisfied customers but it's difficult to find there dissatisfied customers. Could they take you to court under the defamation act for what you say.

[bltamil1]

Yes, they can take you to court for it.

If what you have said/printed is demonstrably true, their action would fail.

If it isn't true, their action may suceed.

A brief summary of course and, for the avoidance of doubt, I am not a lawyer!

[snorky782]

hunton69 said:

If you have a bad experience with a building company can you make that public. The reason I ask is most companies will give you recommendations for there satisfied customers but it's difficult to find there dissatisfied customers. Could they take you to court under the defamation act for what you say.

You're joking? The internet is full of negative reviews about every product and service imaginable, whether justified or not.

[RayPike]

Truth is an absolute defence to any claim of defamation. Proving that truth is the clever bit ;-)

[Markbarry1977]

Wasn't there a hotel last year that had a clause in there terms and conditions which you signed when checking in that if you make and derogatory comments about there hotel they had the right to take a fine from your credit card which they scanned on arrival. I'm going to see if I can find the article. Bit off topic but I would imagine if they take the hump, can prove you posted it and it's factually incorrect I can't see why they couldn't.

[Markbarry1977]

Found it
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30100973

[paintman]

Suggest you read the Act that you are asking about. Tells you exactly what the defences available to you are.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2013/26/conten...
If you are in any doubt best to make an appointment with a lawyer who specialises in the area BEFORE going public with your views of the company in question.

[hutchst]

I've made lots of money out of building disputes. Most of them along the lines of:


Customer: Can you build me a really nice extension?

Builder: I can build you a nice cheap extension.

Customer: That's great, crack on then.

......

Builder: There you go, done.

Customer: But that's not as nice as I thought it was going to be.

Builder: But it's as nice as you get for that price.