Approach to costs
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always aim to approach
legal work in a financially-disciplined way. We offer
competitive rates. Our charging approach is both transparent
and geared to the options open to our clients. Our
solicitors generally charge by reference to time spent but
we can often agree fixed fees for specific work or in some
cases risk-adjusted funding structures.
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Send us a summary of your circumstances and objectives for a quick response. |
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employment
Libel (defamation)
Experienced lawyers
representing claimants & defendants in
actions for libel, slander & malicious
falsehood
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Solicitors
here advise on and conduct legal proceedings seeking
damages for defamation (libel and slander) and the
publication of malicious falsehoods. Our solicitors
represent both claimants and defendants.
To
bring a viable action in the English
courts, you would need to be able to
show that publication occurred in
England or Wales.
A
claimant in a defamation action must
show that the words they complain of
would be understood by a hypothetical
reasonable reader (i.e. requires
publication to a third party) to refer
to them and to bear a meaning
defamatory of
them, that is,
a meaning
which
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would
tend to lower their reputation in the eyes
of right-thinking members of society.
We offer a fixed charge
initial analysis of your case with options
and recommendations
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The actual effect of the publication
of the words is irrelevant to whether they are
defamatory: this is determined by reference to
right-thinking members of society only. A claimant
must also show that the words complained of have
been communicated (published) to a third party.
Anyone involved in
the publication of the words will be liable
unless they can establish a
defence.
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A defence
can be for the defendant to show that
although defamatory its words were
published pursuant to the discharge of a
public duty (e.g. reporting suspicion of
a crime to the authorities) and are
thereby privileged from suit but such a
defence is vitiated if the claimant can
show that the
words complained
of were
published
with malice. It
is a defence for the defendant
to show justification, meaning
substantial truth of the words
complained of.
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Libel proceedings are very expensive and because
trials are in front of a jury rather than judge
alone (uniquely amongst civil proceedings) their
outcome is inherently more unpredictable than many
kinds of proceedings. It is therefore wise to get
advice from an experienced solicitor at the
outset.
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available |
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Accessibility
We take instructions from UK & international clients. Our independent lawyers are available by email, telephone & fax. With central Bristol offices we are just 90 minutes from London by road or rail and 15 minutes from Bristol International Airport. We can travel to meetings if required.
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Independent approach
We are an independent professional law firm here, not a legal factory turning out mass-produced products. In our experience, determined case-handling is more likely to produce effective results.
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Turnaround time
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. look to input not only
careful legal work and precision but also the determination
to keep matters moving. They aim to work in clients' real
interests with energy and pragmatism.
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Communication skills
Solicitors at Humphreys & Co. always try to open up the
legal process by giving advice and explaining options to
clients in a concise and straightforward way, identifying
clear courses of action whatever the technical or legal
complexities of the subject. |
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