Online reviews and social media posts can have a real impact on businesses and individuals. But where does a “bad review” cross the line into something more serious? You may have heard of horror stories where a person who has left a review has been sued for defamation!. What is defamation then?. Defamation is a legal concept where a person’s reputation is harmed by a false statement made to others. In simple terms: 👉 It’s when someone says or publishes something untrue about you - it could be on social media for example 👉 That statement is presented as fact (not just opinion) 👉 And it causes, or is likely to cause, serious harm to your reputation There are two main forms: 1. Libel – written or published statements (e.g. online reviews, social media posts) 2. Slander – "spoken" statements A key point is that truth is a complete defence. If the statement is true, it is not defamatory. Also, honest opinion is generally protected — people are allowed to express views, even negative ones, provided they are not making false factual claims. Statements made during a court case are also protected.... Most modern defamation issues arise online, particularly through reviews, posts, and comments. ⚖️ The starting point Not every negative comment is unlawful. People are entitled to: 👉 share their honest opinion without fear of being censored 👉 leave negative reviews 👉 describe their experience 💡 However, problems arise where statements are: – false and designed to cause reputational harm – presented as fact (not opinion) – damaging to reputation 👉 That’s where defamation may come into play..... 💬 Example Saying: “This company was slow and I wouldn’t use them again”....this is likely an opinion ✅ Saying: “This company is a scam and steals money” (without evidence)......this is likely defamatory ❌ ⚠️ Important point It’s not just what you say — it’s how you say it. Statements presented as facts carry more risk than opinions. 📩 If you’re on the receiving end

As the community continues to grow, I want to make sure we’re building something that is genuinely useful to you 👍 So rather than guessing… We’d like to ask 👇 💡 What would you like to see more of? Are there any specific: 📄 Templates you need? (e.g. complaint letters, letter before action, responses, refunds, disputes) ⚖️ Legal topics you want broken down? (e.g. employment, landlord & tenant, consumer rights, court process) 🧭 Step-by-step guides? (e.g. how to handle a dispute from start to finish) 💬 Or even a situation you’re dealing with right now?...... If you’re unsure about something, chances are that others are too. 🚀 The aim is to build a practical resource hub where you can: ✔️ understand your position ✔️ take the right steps early ✔️ avoid unnecessary stress and cost 🙏 A small ask… If you’ve found the community helpful so far: 👉 please share it with someone who might benefit - we feel that the current value is there for anyone who has a legal issue and then an option to engage us for further support (at a very low cost point!). Whether that’s: – a friend dealing with a dispute – someone unsure of their legal rights – or anyone who wants to avoid costly mistakes (say, you are involved in an ongoing dispute) ⚖️ The more people we help, the more we can build: ✔️ better templates ✔️ more detailed guides ✔️ live support sessions ✔️ stronger support for everyone 👉 You can share the link here: https://www.skool.com/law-clinic-support-hub-3740 Feel free to drop a comment below or message directly — all feedback is welcome 👍 Thanks so much for being part of the community! 🚀