Defamation, Libel, and Slander

Defamation, libel, and slander constitute one of the most perplexing and difficult areas of the law.  People say and write bad things about others all of the time, but most of the time there is no defamation, libel, or slander.  “Defamation” is actually a word that encompasses both “libel” and “slander.”  Simply put, slander is a defamation that is spoken aloud, and libel is a defamation that is written.  Whether a defamation claim exists depends on various factors, including whether the person about whom the statement was made is a private person, instead of public or semi-public figure, and whether the person who made the statement made it with malice against the other person.