Category Archives: Defamation, Libel & Slander

Defamation is a false oral or written statement made by one party to another regarding an individual or organization that harms that individual/organization’s reputation. This can result in legal action if the defamatory statement causes harm to the reputation of an individual or enterprise and is determined to be false. However, the issues arising in […]

To successfully make a claim against another party for defamation, a plaintiff must prove certain elements. The alleged defaming communication must have been made verbally or in writing to at least one-third party, the communication must be in reference to the plaintiff, and the content of the communication must be something that would be considered […]

We have previously written about defamation cases involving individuals who had posted their opinions of various businesses and were subsequently sued for defamation, only to have the defendant seek a dismissal on the basis of issues pertaining to the public interest.  In  Zoutman v. Graham, for example, the owner of a medical clinic brought a […]

In September of last year, we wrote about a situation that had been making headlines, in which the owner of a medical diagnostic clinic in Guelph had filed a $6 million defamation claim against a local married couple, SEB and KEB. The claim arose out of the fact that SEB had shared tweets made by […]

As a professional, being the subject of an investigation or disciplinary hearing is not something anyone wants to endure. The potential consequences of a finding of negligence, professional misconduct, or other wrongs can be significant and can include fines, practice limitations or restrictions, suspension or revocation of professional licenses, and even criminal charges. Findings of […]

Earlier this year, we wrote about a pending case in Guelph, Ontario, in which a medical imaging clinic brought a $6 million claim for defamation against a couple stemming from negative social media posts. In that case, which has yet to be heard, one-half of the defendant couple had posted online about allegedly homophobic comments […]

Defamation is a statement made to a third party that is false and damaging to the reputation, finances, or well-being of an individual or organization. Defamation can occur in writing (libel) or orally (slander). We have previously discussed cases in which a defamation claim was made after negative reviews of a business or individual professional […]

People are entitled to express their opinions online, however, when those posts are untrue and have the potential to negatively impact another person or business, the poster may end up being found liable for defamation. We previously wrote about an Ontario court decision in which a man was ordered to pay $50,000 to a doctor […]

The internet has opened up new avenues for communication over the past twenty-five years, allowing for unfettered access to information and ease of communication. However, it has also created new means for negative interactions, including harassment, which, given the platform, can make it relentless and difficult to escape. While Ontario law has long addressed various […]

Professionals work hard to build their reputations and often rely in large part on word of mouth to grow their clientele. Understandably, many have concerns about negative or dishonest reviews made about them online. These ratings and reviews are often anonymous and take just a few moments to create, yet they can have a lasting […]