Post about a Bad Experience with a Company - Defamation?

Australia's #1 for Law
Join 150,000 Australians every month. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today!
FREE - Join Now
J

jas

Guest
Hi
Is it ok to post about a bad experience with a company and the way they handled your case or accounts? Is this defamation?
 

Paul Cott

Well-Known Member
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
26 May 2014
342
100
889
Ballarat, Victoria
Jas,

Generally companies (assuming it is an actual company as such and not for example, a firm or a partnership) cannot be sued for defamation. But there are some rarer actions a company as such could have for such statements.

Individuals can sue for defamation though. Of course, truth is a defence.

So it is in general ok to do so but I would be careful. You would be unlucky to get into trouble legally here. But there are other less legally risky avenues to express such grievances such as just not dealing with or recommending them to anyone.
 
  • Like
Reactions: John R

Toqual

Well-Known Member
10 July 2014
130
9
414
It is not defamation if true. Ensure you do not exaggerate, change the story etc. Also, do not use it to aggravate the subject.
 

Tim W

Lawyer
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
28 April 2014
5,045
831
2,894
Sydney
Jas,

Generally companies (assuming it is an actual company as such and not for example, a firm or a partnership) cannot be sued for defamation.
Even if defamation is not available, if what you say (eg on social media) is untrue (even a little bit),
then there is also a tort called "injurious falsehood", in which the company may be able to found an action.

If you must say something, then choose your actions, and your words, carefully.