Libel
Author
Discussion

griffgrog

Original Poster:

730 posts

263 months

Tuesday 19th January 2010
quotequote all
An ex employee has contacted one of our customers and made claims that are fundamentally untrue. The customer has contacted me to let me know about the acusation, having proven to themselves that they are untrue. My customer even said that the cheeky sod wanted money to reveal the 'facts' to them!

What should I do about this waster?

essayer

10,248 posts

211 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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Claims against you, or your company?

griffgrog

Original Poster:

730 posts

263 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
quotequote all
About the company.

Halb

53,012 posts

200 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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Unless published I think it's slander.
Personally if the claims might cost me business I would sort it myself. Is this guy a dirty lil scrote or just a chancer who thought he could get an easy cashin?

AB

18,668 posts

212 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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Yes, but you don't know which other companies he has contacted who haven't done the decent thing in letting you know?

Jasandjules

71,321 posts

246 months

Wednesday 20th January 2010
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Hmm, asking for money for information, isn't that seekign a bribe? I wonder if plod would be interested.

You could seek an injunction preventing him from doing X, Y or Z but you would have to be clear as to the terms which you would want, i.e. not speaking to any previous customers and informing them A,B or C (those allegations which are untrue).

It is VERY expensive to go the Libel route, though of course under the circumstances from what you have said you will win, which means you should also recover your costs (though it is not a guarantee)... A simple threat regarding libel proceedings may be sufficient from a lawyer (but make it a half decent one, I got a threat once from a firm and when I wrote back with some facts and law they had to withdraw their statements etc.. and threats of further action - so make sure they are good)..