Example Legal Letter 

Usually, the first way you will know if you have been SLAPP’d is through a legal letter. These letters are often sent by solicitors or, in some cases, management firms. The letters usually use language that is meant to scare the individual who has been subject to a SLAPP. The letter will often ask the recipient to cease in their investigation or there will be subject to legal action. Beneath is an example of a letter (all personal information is fictitious).

If you think you have been subject to a SLAPP, then it is worth looking at Index on Censorship’s ‘Am I facing a SLAPP tool’ here.

All information provided is not in place of legal advice.

Caliburn and Finch
123 London Road
London
L12 2MA

For the attention of John Doe

 

5 August 2025

DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS MADE ABOUT MR SMITH 

I am writing to you on behalf of my client, Daniel Smith. It has come to our attention that you have made several statements about our client that are both false and defamatoryDefamation is the vehicle that is typically used for SLAPPs, but it might also be misuse of private information or data protection. . Our client, Mr Smith, is a businessman who works within the financial services industry.

By emails dated 15 May 2025, John Doe, a freelance journalist (the “Author”) notified our client that he is intending to publish an article on his website containing serious allegations against Mr Smith (the “Article”). We have not seen a draft of the Article, but we have been sent a copy of the allegations (the “Allegations”). In addition to this, the Author published a statement on their social media account (@JohnDoe)Oftentimes, your social media accounts will also be checked and monitored to see if you posted about the person who is taking legal action so make sure you know your information is accurate and you have evidence to prove it before posting ,which alleged that our client had stolen money from clients. 

Under section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013, a statement is defamatory if it has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm to the reputation of the claimant.There are defences available under section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013. Make sure that you have looked at the defences available and have detailed notes focusing on why it was in the public interest to publish. Your allegation on your social media channel has caused our client to suffer financial loss and has been seen by a significant number of people, which constitutes serious harm.

In light of the severity of the Allegations, our client seeks confirmation from the Author that the Articlewill not be published based on the beneath:The aim of a SLAPP is to try and stop the publication of the story.

  1. The Article contains Allegations that are, to our client’s knowledge, false and inaccurate. If the Article is published, then it may breach the code of conduct that the Author follows. If you have signed up to a regulator and follow their code of conduct then always make sure you check this before publishing and when writing a story.
  2. The Allegations concern information from anonymous sources. Our client’s company has internal grievance, anti-bullying and whistleblowing procedures for employees to express concerns. These internal procedures have not been used in respect of any of the Allegations and therefore the Allegations should not be published where internal procedures are a more appropriate avenue. 
  3. The Allegations may also be false and could cause further serious harm to the reputation and finances of our client.For defamation to be proved, there has to be serious harm caused. However, there are defences available, such as the public interest defence, which would, perhaps, be applicable in this case. The social media post has already caused our client to suffer financial loss as clients have declined his financial services since its publication. 

The social media post that has been published should be removed and a retraction and apology posted within 48 hours.There will usually be a timeframe given and it is best to seek advice within this period as to the next best steps. Make sure you have all of your evidence. In the event that the Article is published and the social media post remains published, our client will commence defamation proceedings against the Author. We therefore strongly urge you to retract the social media post and cease publication of the Article immediately.

If we receive confirmation within 24 hours of the date of this letterShort timeframes are typically given to respond. that the Author will do the above, our client will take no further action. If this confirmation is not received, our client has the right to issue legal proceedings. This could result in you being liable for substantial damages and legal costs.

This is a complex area of law and we urge you to seek independent legal advice immediately.Seeking legal advice is the best option.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Caliburn and Finch Solicitors.