Defamation and Slander Lawyers in Singapore

The defamation law in Singapore protects individuals and businesses against libellous or slanderous statements that damage their reputation. At the same time, defamation, libel, and slander can be challenging to prove and require the assistance of experienced lawyers.

At IRB Law, our defamation lawyers in Singapore can assist you in stopping the defamatory statements and pursuing compensation for your damages. Our legal team can also help when you are accused of making defamatory statements by negotiating with the opposing party’s lawyers and mounting strong defences in court.

What Is Defamation?

Defamation is a statement about a person or an organization that is false and damages their reputation, well-being, or financial situation. Defamation can occur in written or other permanent form, or through spoken words or even gestures.

In Singapore, you can sue or be sued for defamation under civil or criminal law, depending on the type of defamatory statement. In civil law, the potential consequences for defamation include payment of damages and the costs of the trial. If the case is tried in the criminal system, the penalty under the Singapore Penal Code is imprisonment for up to 2 years and/or a fine.

What Is Libel?

In defamation cases, libel is a statement made in writing or another permanent form. Examples of libel include defamatory statements published in newspapers, letters, social media, or blog posts online. Importantly, any statement you make by means of telecommunication or broadcast is considered a publication in permanent form.

In libel cases, the person suing for defamation in Singapore does not need to prove any actual damages. The existence of a false statement in written or permanent form communicated to someone and the permanent nature of such statement can be enough for a defamation case.

What Is Slander?

When comparing libel vs slander in Singapore, the key difference is how the defamation is communicated. While libel is a published defamation, slander occurs through spoken words or gestures.

When suing for slander, you need to prove that you suffered damages as a result of defamatory statements. The exceptions include slanderous statements related to infectious or contagious diseases, unchastity or adultery to any woman or a girl, or words that can be considered as criminal conduct.

How IRB Law Can Help

Our legal team advises and represents individuals, public figures, financial institutions, and businesses in all legal matters involving defamation, libel, or slander. Our defamation lawyers in Singapore consult and act on all types of defamation cases, including:

printed publications in newspapers and public documents,
verbal statements made in public or privately,
posts on social media, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and other platforms,
libellous statements made in emails, blogs, or forums,
defamatory remarks during live broadcasts, webinars, or virtual meetings.

Why Choose IRB Law

Trusted and Experienced

At IRB Law, we have years of experience representing clients facing defamatory statements and those who have been accused of such statements, including individuals, public figures, and businesses.

Full-Service Law Firm

As a full-service law firm, IRB Law can assist you in all legal matters related to defamation, including civil and criminal cases, negotiating on your behalf with the opposing party, and pursuing your best interests in court.

Accessible and Approachable

Our defamation lawyers in Singapore are always accessible to clients and ensure seamless communication to stop infringements and pursue damages in defamation cases in the most effective way possible.

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+65 6980 7824
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Meet Some of Our Team

Mohamed Baiross

Founding & Managing Partner, IRB Law LLP

Mohamed Baiross is the managing partner of IRB Law and one of the nation's leading lawyers in multiple practice areas, including civil, corporate, and commercial law. With over three decades of experience as a business lawyer, Mohamed Baiross has built a renowned corporate law firm in Singapore, providing expert legal services to global corporations and local businesses.

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Kulvinder Kaur

Partner

Kulvinder Kaur is a prominent commercial and corporate lawyer and an expert in litigation matters. Kaur is well-known in all courts of Singapore for strong legal representation in the most complex cases across multiple practice areas.

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See Full Team

Can I sue for defamation in Singapore?

Singapore defamation law protects individuals and businesses against false statements that tend to harm their reputation. Accordingly, if you believe your reputation has been damaged by someone’s verbal, written, or other types of statements in permanent form, for example, on a broadcast, you have the right to sue for damages. If you face similar circumstances, it’s always recommended to consult an experienced defamation lawyer in Singapore on the best strategy and your other options outside the courtroom.

Can I be sued for defamation?

In Singapore, you can be sued if you make a false statement that harms someone’s reputation. If you have a civil lawsuit against you for defamation, you would need to prove that your statements are true or face a claim for damages.

In case you have a criminal case against you for defamation, the prosecution will need to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In either case, it’s best to retain an experienced defamation lawyer in Singapore as early as possible to mount a strong defence strategy.

How to prove defamation?

In case of libel, which is any defamatory statement made in written or permanent form, for example, by means of telecommunication, you don’t need to prove any actual damages. The court will decide the award for damages based on precedents and facts in each case.

In the case of verbal defamatory statements or slander, you generally need to show that you suffered actual damage unless the defamatory statement falls under a limited number of exceptions. These exceptions include imputing contagious or infectious diseases, unchastity or adultery in a woman or a girl, or criminal conduct.

What damages can be claimed for defamation?

In civil defamation cases, the court assesses the damages “at large,” which means that there is no arithmetic or objective formula or method. The damages awarded by the court after hearing all the evidence in the case are intended to console the plaintiff for the hurt and distress caused by defamation, as well as to compensate for the harm to their reputation.

I'm a victim of defamation. What should I do now?

If you fall victim to criminal defamation where the perpetrator intended, knew, or had reasons to believe that their statement would harm your reputation, the first step is to report the incident to the police.

It is also advisable to speak to defamation lawyers in Singapore as early as possible, whether you have a criminal or civil defamation case. Please don’t hesitate to contact an IRB Law defamation lawyer in Singapore for a free consultation on your options and how we can assist you.