A hypothetical question. If I called Paisley a piece of shit and he took me to court for libel, would it not be for him to demonstrate that he's not a piece of shit, and how would he be able to demonstrate that?
A hypothetical question. If I called Paisley a piece of shit and he took me to court for libel, would it not be for him to demonstrate that he's not a piece of shit, and how would he be able to demonstrate that?
If the statement is a subjective opinion, it's almost always fine. If you consider him a bad actor or even a bad person, you're usually free to say so as it's a personal view and we're allowed to have opinions. If you said he was a PoS because he had behaved in an unprofessional manner, then it becomes more interesting as you've made a statement that may harm him professionally which you could be asked to prove.
Not a lawyer, just enough knowledge from past work to be safe.
What is your law/policy in the U.K.? Public figures in the U.S. can be called anything under the sun, that's part of what you take on when you choose to be a public figure.
I am not a lawyer. Bear in mind Scots law is different from the law in E&W, so where would such a case be heard (assuming you are E&W and Paisley in Scotland)? My 'knowledge' comes from the excellent film 'Denial' with Rachel Weiss and Tom Wilkinson, he playing Daved Irvine and she an American academic. He sued her for defamation of some kind but, iirc, it was for her to prove she hadn't done that. So guilty till proved innocent. This was in English courts.
A hypothetical question. If I called Paisley a piece of shit and he took me to court for libel, would it not be for him to demonstrate that he's not a piece of shit, and how would he be able to demonstrate that?
If the statement is a subjective opinion, it's almost always fine. If you consider him a bad actor or even a bad person, you're usually free to say so as it's a personal view and we're allowed to have opinions. If you said he was a PoS because he had behaved in an unprofessional manner, then it becomes more interesting as you've made a statement that may harm him professionally which you could be asked to prove.
Not a lawyer, just enough knowledge from past work to be safe.
What is your law/policy in the U.K.? Public figures in the U.S. can be called anything under the sun, that's part of what you take on when you choose to be a public figure.
I am not a lawyer. Bear in mind Scots law is different from the law in E&W, so where would such a case be heard (assuming you are E&W and Paisley in Scotland)? My 'knowledge' comes from the excellent film 'Denial' with Rachel Weiss and Tom Wilkinson, he playing Daved Irvine and she an American academic. He sued her for defamation of some kind but, iirc, it was for her to prove she hadn't done that. So guilty till proved innocent. This was in English courts.
Lawyers, please correct me as needed on this.