A form of publication which tends to cause one to lose the esteem of the community is defamation. This is injury to reputation. A person can be held liable for the defamation of another. In order to prove defamation, the plaintiff must prove:
- that a statement was made about the plaintiff's reputation, honesty or integrity that is not true;
- publication to a third party (i.e., another person hears or reads the statement); and
- the plaintiff suffers damages as a result of the statement.
Slander is a form of defamation that consists of making false oral statements about a person which would damage that person's reputation. If one spreads a rumor that his neighbor has been in jail and this is not true, the person making such false statements could be held liable for slander.
Defamation which occurs by written statements is known as libel. Libel also may result from a picture or visual representation. Truth is an absolute defense to slander or libel.
Some statements, while libelous or slanderous, are absolutely privileged in the sense that the statements can be made without fear of a lawsuit for slander. The best example is statements made in a court of law. An untrue statement made about a person in court which damages that person's reputation will generally not cause liability to the speaker as far as slander is concerned. However, if the statement is untrue, the person making it may be liable for criminal perjury.
If a communication is made in good faith on a subject in which the party communicating it has a legitimate right or interest in communicating it, this communication may be exempt from slander liability due to a qualified privileged.
The following form letter demands that someone cease making libelous or slanderous statements, or appropriate legal action will be taken.
Example Of A Cease And Desist Letter For Slander In Suffolk
Category:
State:
Multi-State
County:
Suffolk
Control #:
US-00423BG
Format:
Word;
Rich Text
Instant download
Description
Form popularity
FAQ
There are four unlawful activities that are most often addressed with cease and desist orders or letters: misuse of intellectual property, harassment, character defamation and libel, and contract violations, including unfair labor practices or unfair compensation.
THEREFORE, you are hereby requested to immediately cease and desist illegal defamation, slander and/or libel and within 10 business days, return the signed written assurance below affirming that you will refrain from any further acts of defamation, slander and/or libel with regards to my character and/or reputation.
Your letter should ideally state the specific defamatory statement, the reasons why it is untrue, and the damage you're suffering. Also, give the recipient a deadline by which they must retract their statements before you will need to take legal action.
Keep Records: Document instances of slander, including dates, times, what was said, and any witnesses. Gather Evidence: Collect any relevant communications, such as emails or text messages. Reach Out: If you feel safe and it's appropriate, consider talking to the person spreading slander to address the issue directly.
Your letter should ideally state the specific defamatory statement, the reasons why it is untrue, and the damage you're suffering. Also, give the recipient a deadline by which they must retract their statements before you will need to take legal action.
How to write a Cease and Desist Letter Clearly identify the parties involved. Include the names and contact details of both the sender (you) and the recipient (the offending party). Specify the offending behaviour. State your demand. Outline potential legal consequences. Include delivery details.
Cease and desist letters can be used in various legal scenarios, including: Harassment or Nuisance: In situations of harassment, stalking, or nuisance behaviour, a cease and desist letter can serve as a formal warning to the offending party to cease their actions.
More info
A cease and desist letter is a formal notice demanding that an individual or organization stop performing illegal or unauthorized activities. How do I fill this out?It's easier to create a cease and desist letter when you use an online template. These documents usually come in PDF format. Forms ; How To Commence A Civil Action. A Cease and Desist Letter is a legal document for a person or company to send a warning of legal action.
