Libel Issue - Solicitors
Libel Issue - Solicitors
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Discussion

jamesuk28

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

284 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
Slightly tricky one, our client has received a letter from a Solicitor acting on behalf of a debtor.

The letter wrongly claims that our client has stolen a laptop from the debtor (long line of intimidation tactics)

Now as far as the law of libel is concerned, would the fact that the debtor conveyed a false accusation to his Solicitor be regarded as the third party rule or not? ie is it libelous? or does communication between a client and his Solicitor not count?

Edited by jamesuk28 on Monday 26th April 12:12

edc

9,689 posts

282 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
Related but not answering your question - what loss has your client suffered from this allegation?

jamesuk28

Original Poster:

2,176 posts

284 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
Considerable damage to their reputation (accussed of theft)

Boosted LS1

21,200 posts

291 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
Has the letter been made public or just read by the recipient and his agents.

JustinP1

13,364 posts

261 months

Monday 26th April 2010
quotequote all
jamesuk28 said:
Considerable damage to their reputation (accussed of theft)
To one solicitor. How do you quantify that? £50?

That is the issue here. If they go ahead and print this story in a newspaper then by all means that could run into potentially millions. It is also worth pointing out that the cost of bringing a libel action is in the five figure range.

Therefore solicitor tactics warning this are seen as toothless.

I would overlook this as best as possible but I don't see this as a route.