Introduction Anonymous Google reviews can cause serious reputational harm to businesses, particularly when the reviewer cannot be identified or verified. According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, approximately 97% of all businesses in Australia are small businesses, that is, businesses that employ less than 20 employees. Most small businesses rely upon their […]
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Defamation Case Study: When Relationships Go Wrong Occasionally, I published an article which discusses defamation law in the context of a real life defamation case. Today, I am writing about the Victorian County Court case of Wang v Qin [2021] VCC 1906 (the Wang Case). This defamation case study examines how defamatory conduct can arise […]
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Defamation and businesses Corporations, and other body corporates have a restriction on standing to sue for defamation, in that, they cannot have more than 10 full time equivalent employees. Likewise, sometimes, establishing serious harm to the requisite threshold can be difficult. For many decades, before the introduction of the uniform defamation law throughout Australia, most […]
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Defamation risks for businesses arise when false statements about a company are published and cause reputational harm, leading to potential legal claims and financial loss. The value of brand reputation in business Brand reputation is an essential and crucial part of any business which sells goods or services. Without a good reputation, a business may […]
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Defamatory Google Review: Part 2 Defamatory Google reviews can seriously damage a business’s reputation, and understanding your legal rights and options under Australian law is crucial to protect that reputation. As we explored in Defamation & Google reviews: Part 1, positive Google reviews are important to most small to medium sized businesses in Australia. They […]
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Publication & Defamation Law in Australia This defamation publication Allen Law outlines key legal principles of defamation law in Australia, common defamation issues, and how businesses and individuals can protect their reputation. As previously discussed in our article What is Defamation?, a plaintiff commencing a defamation claim in Australia must establish four essential elements. One of […]
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Defamation & Serious Harm In the world of defamation law, one of the most significant recent developments in Victoria and other parts of Australia is the introduction of the “serious harm” element. This requirement fundamentally reshapes how defamation claims are assessed, filtering out trivial or unmeritorious cases at an early stage. If you are considering […]
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If you’ve been defamed in Australia, in most jurisdictions, your first step is not heading straight to court—but issuing a Concerns Notice. At Allen Law, we are experts in defamation and reputation protection. Based in Melbourne, we regularly help individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of Australia’s defamation law, including drafting compliant and strategically sound […]
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Can calling someone an idiot, moron, or worse amount to defamation in Australia? With the rise of social media, this question is more relevant than ever. At Allen Law, Melbourne’s go-to defamation lawyers, we often advise clients on whether crude or abusive language—particularly when posted online—crosses the line into defamation. Vulgar Abuse vs Defamation: What’s […]
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If you believe your reputation has been damaged by defamatory material—whether in print, online, broadcast, or spoken form—it’s essential to act fast. At Allen Law, we are experts in defamation law and understand that one of the most critical elements of a successful defamation claim in Australia is timing. Why Time Is Crucial in Defamation […]
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BY: Allen
