Reputation, both business and personal, are the greatest assets that any organization or individual possesses. Libel and slander are collectively referred to as "defamation". Generally speaking, slander is spoken whereas libel is in a more permanent form, usually in writing. Libel consists of any communication "without justification or lawful excuse which is calculated to injure the reputation of another by exposing him to hatred, contempt or ridicule."
The old adage about sticks and stones that "words will never hurt me" is in reality a myth. Untrue words can be extremely damaging to personal and business reputations. The widespread and mostly unregulated use of the internet has greatly expanded the opportunities for attacks on organizational or individual reputations. Responding to such attacks, or conversely, responding to claims of defamation, requires a solid foundation in the often ancient law of defamation and experience in its application.
The Siskinds Corporate & Commercial Litigation Group has extensive experience in representing our clients in claims involving defamation and media law. Our clients' include well-known print and media publications in Ontario as well as businesses, and their officers and directors, or personal members of the community who have been victims of malicious statements.
Our Group is well equipped to respond promptly and knowledgeably to our client's legal needs arising from the protection of their reputation from defamation, including:
- participating in Charter challenges and applications involving the freedom of the press;
- opposing publication bans;
- defending journalists against libel claims;
- Advancing claims against those who have been the victims of defamatory statements; and
- pre-publication advice to a wide variety of media publications as well as advertising and public relation firms in order to minimize the risk of defamation claims.
Members of the Siskinds Corporate & Commercial Litigation Group have participated in many forms of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, and have appeared on behalf of our clients in all court levels including the Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, Court of Appeal for Ontario and the Supreme Court of Canada and have built a reputation among our peers and the judiciary for determination, effectiveness, credibility and reliability, attributes which are crucial to achieving results.
