PromptA journalist writes an article claiming that a local business owner has been involved in fraudulent activities. The business owner sues for defamation. Under the Defamation Act 2013, what must the business owner prove to establish that the statement has caused serious harm?
Click to flip AnswerFor a trading body, 'serious harm' requires proof of serious financial loss. For an individual, it is a substantial adverse effect on reputation, not merely trivial. The threshold is more stringent for bodies that trade for profit; mere injury to reputation is insufficient without actual or likely financial loss.
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