Defamation is the general tort that encompasses statements that damage one's reputation. Slander is a legal term that refers to a false, oral statement about an individual that harms his reputation or standing within the community. 1. For a statement to be defamatory, it must be false and have caused or have the potential to cause harm to the reputation of another party. Defenses to slander depend on the circumstances, and are not always successful, but being able to prove, for instance, that the statement was untrue, is a good start. As a starting point, the main similarity between slander and libel is that there absolutely must be publication of a statement to a third person. ch. tit. another, in others it is excusable, provided it be uttered without express 111; unless the assertion be made for the assertion of a supposed 11.-Sec. In order to qualify as slander in a legal action, the statement must be false and maliciously made. Slander is a verbal false statement that harms a person's or business' reputation. Slander is a legal term for defamation of another person or organization made verbally. Legal Definition of Slander: Everything You Need to Know. & Rawle, 343. Both libel and slander are forms of defamation, but libel is found in print, and slander is found in speech. 1. Jaime hates the food at Carlo’s restaurant, and she expresses her opinion on Yelp and Facebook, saying that the tacos she had were tooth-breaking hard, and the enchiladas completely flavorless. By questioning both parties carefully, the judge is able to determine that both the email and voicemail accounts are Nathan’s personal accounts, and are not likely to be heard or viewed by the public, his employer, or his coworkers. B) utter a false and harmful statement about someone directly to their face. It could be in a blog comment or spoken in a speech or said on television. Slanderer. Slander, B; but it lies if maliciously spoken. Craun has shown, these texts spread after the Fourth Lateran Council (1215): they were "constructed from the thirteenth century on by the new, university-educated higher clergy, for priests, especially parish priests, to apply in preaching, in directing confessions, etc." Origin: 1250-1300 Middle English (sc)laundre < Late Latin scandalum (cause of offense). Jac. Define slander. as tending to a breach of the peace; 2 Bl. In short, defamation is a false statement published to a […] C) publish a harsh and critical statement about someone. B. The mode of publication. Defamation: libel and slander. said in debate. N. P. R. 623; 2 East, R. 361; the Libelous statements refer to words that can be seen (typically written and published), while slander occurs when a defamatory statement is spoken or otherwise audible (such as a radio broadcast). Francis told the interviewer that he was afraid for his life. On the other hand, had Jaime made statements that Carlo’s restaurant apparently uses dog meat in their tacos and enchiladas, and the waitress apparently kept her job by giving sexual favors to the boss, the judge’s decision would likely have gone the other way. 1 Rolle, 2 Slander is not a crime. his client's cause and pertinent thereto. In several countries, including South Korea, a true statement can also be considered defamation.. Entr. What are the laws on slander? 187; 1 Phillim. A letter A false statement spoken about a person that the speaker knew or reasonably should have known was false that harms the person’s reputation as a result of the statement being heard by third parties. preferment in marriage or service, or in his inheritance, or which occasion sustained for calling a man a leper. 87; 1 Vin. Libel refers to a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression, whereas slander refers to a false spoken statement that is made to cause people to have a bad opinion of someone. Slander is an untrue defamatory statement that is spoken orally. 1189; Bac. 124; Id. Abr. These cases often involve public figures or public officials and false statements made about them, but everyone's first amendment rights to free speech must still be protected. Ab. Slander is one of two types of defamation. If the statements are proven to be true, it is a complete defense to a charge of slander. ridiculous, and impairs the enjoyment of general society, and injures those and the like. Str. Libel is one of those legal causes of action often considered as appropriate by the lay person but, in reality, a difficult and complex matter to allege and prove. Typically, a judge will determine if the statement is actually defamatory. 28, n.; Doctr. 1 T. R. 111; 3 B. TXO Production Corp. v. Alliance Resources, 509 U.S. 443 (1993). Legal definition of slander of title: a false and malicious written or spoken public statement disparaging a person's title to property that causes harm for which special damages may be awarded —called also defamation of title, disparagement of property, disparagement of title. 275. Slander is defined as a spoken or oral defamatory statement. 2. See 3 Serg. Some statements such as an untrue accusation of having committed a crime, having a loathsome disease, or being unable to perform one's occupation are treated as slander per se since the harm and malice are obvious, and therefore usually result in general and even punitive damage recovery by the person harmed. Slander, 213; 2 P. A. Bro. Rep. malice. Slander Slander; Slander Definition. Legal definition of slander. The difference between defamation and slander is that a defamatory statement can be made in any medium . 6.-3d. 4th. This might include a rival public official making defamatory statements in an attempt to remove his opponent from the political landscape.