Defamation Lawyers Brisbane
Your reputation matters. Get advice on your next move.
An allegation of dishonesty, misconduct or wrongdoing can affect your career, client relationships and standing in the community. Receiving a defamation demand can be equally unsettling, particularly when you believe you had good reason to publish what you said.
Stonegate Legal’s defamation lawyers Brisbane service assists people on both sides of these disputes. Speak with us about the publication, the consequences and what you want to achieve.
- Free 30-minute initial consultation: Explain the issue and discuss the next steps with you in clear language.
- Advice focused on your circumstances: Explore the response that fits the publication, your objectives and your budget.
- Direct contact with a lawyer: Discuss your matter with someone who understands defamation disputes.
Tell us about your defamation matter
Defamation advice for Brisbane professionals and individuals
Understand the dispute before responding
Your reputation may depend on the confidence of a small group of people: your clients, colleagues, employer or professional network. When a damaging allegation reaches those people, you need an assessment that looks beyond the wording alone.
Our Brisbane defamation lawyers examine the material, its surrounding context and the evidence available. We discuss what a response could achieve, the obstacles you may face and the expense involved in taking the matter further.
Whether you want an allegation addressed or need to answer a claim, we help you make an informed decision before the dispute escalates.
Understanding Defamation
When can a damaging statement become a legal claim?
A harsh comment and an actionable publication are not necessarily the same thing. Defamation concerns the effect of a publication on reputation, including whether it has caused, or is likely to cause, serious harm.
Watch our explanation of the issues that need to be examined before bringing or defending a claim.
- Meaning: What allegation does the publication convey when read or heard in context?
- Identification: Would its audience understand that it refers to you?
- Consequences: What evidence shows how the publication has affected your reputation?
Defamation Deadlines
Check the dates before you take the next step
The date of publication and the date a notice is received can affect your options. Send us the relevant material promptly so we can identify the periods that apply.
Bring the publication, correspondence and any court documents to your initial consultation.
1 Year
Starting a defamation claim
Proceedings generally must begin within one year of publication. Statutory extensions and court-ordered extensions can apply in particular circumstances. Do not assume the period starts when you discover the material or restarts whenever someone reads it online.
28 Days
Offer to make amends:
The statutory period is generally 28 days after receiving a Concerns Notice. Where further particulars are supplied after the first 14 days, a different calculation can apply. An ordinary settlement offer is not necessarily a statutory offer to make amends.
14 Days
Providing further particulars
A valid request for reasonable further particulars generally requires an answer within 14 days, unless a longer period is agreed. Failing to provide them in time can mean the Concerns Notice is treated as not having been given.
Fixed-fee Concerns Notices in Brisbane
A defined scope and an agreed fee for your first formal step
Before commissioning a Concerns Notice, you should understand what the work involves and whether it is appropriate for your matter.
Stonegate Legal offers fixed-fee Concerns Notice work for suitable cases. We confirm the scope with you, review the relevant publication and prepare the notice for delivery to the proposed recipient.
Preparation based on your publication
The work starts with the material you want addressed and the information supporting your complaint. We identify what further documents or instructions we need before drafting.
Know what the legal fee covers
We explain the included work and any exclusions before you engage us. If correspondence, negotiations or proceedings require further work, we discuss the scope and costs with you separately.
Bringing a claim or answering one?
Brisbane defamation advice for either side of the dispute
SOMETHING DAMAGING HAS BEEN PUBLISHED ABOUT ME
You may have discovered an accusation in a community group, received a call from a concerned client or learned that someone has contacted your employer. The first priority is to establish exactly what happened and preserve the material.
We review the publication and discuss its effect on your work, relationships and reputation. From there, we assess the merits of taking action and whether the outcome you want is realistically achievable.
- Organising the publication and supporting documents.
- Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a proposed claim.
- Preparing a Concerns Notice where appropriate.
- Proposing terms to address the publication and its consequences.
- Advising on litigation if the dispute remains unresolved.
Start with a free 30-minute initial consultation.
SOMEONE SAYS I HAVE DEFAMED THEM
A demand for an apology, removal or compensation can create pressure to respond immediately. Your response should follow a review of the complaint and the material it concerns.
Our lawyers examine what the other person alleges, the documents supporting your position and the options for handling the dispute. We explain where further information is needed and help you prepare a considered response.
- Reviewing a Concerns Notice, demand or filed claim.
- Identifying the issues that require an immediate response.
- Examining the evidence supporting what you published.
- Advising on potential defences and settlement options.
- Preparing correspondence and defending where required.
Include the notice or demand when requesting your consultation.
What will our lawyers examine?
| Issue | Information that helps us assess it |
|---|---|
| The complete publication | The original post, message, recording, article or account of the conversation. |
| Its surrounding context | Earlier messages, linked material and the exchange in which the allegation appeared. |
| The audience | Who received the material and their connection with you. |
| Its impact | Enquiries, correspondence or other records showing the consequences. |
| The publisher’s position | Their response, supporting material and explanation for publishing. |
| Your objective | What you want addressed and the resources you are prepared to commit. |
Speak with our Brisbane defamation lawyers
Make your next decision with a clearer understanding
Free, confidential 30 minute consultation. No obligation.
Publications and disputes we advise on
A reputation dispute can begin with a public accusation or a message sent to a handful of influential people. Our approach starts with the particular communication and what you need help resolving.
| Type of matter | Our approach |
|---|---|
| Google reviews and customer allegations | We distinguish complaints about a service from allegations about honesty, conduct or professional integrity, and assess the documents behind the dispute. |
| Facebook, Instagram and community groups | We review the original post alongside comments, replies and shared versions to understand the exchange as a whole. |
| Workplace and professional communications | We examine correspondence involving employers, colleagues, clients or industry contacts and discuss its consequences for your position. |
| Neighbourhood and community disputes | We help organise the evidence where accusations have circulated through resident groups, committees or personal communications. |
| Articles, interviews, podcasts and videos | We assess the complete material, including headings, images, spoken words and editing, before advising on a response. |
| Publications from unidentified accounts | We discuss the information available about the account and the work that may be needed before a claim can be assessed further. |
| Proposed statements and publications | We review draft material and supporting documents so you can consider the risks before publishing. |
Client experiences with Stonegate Legal
How our clients describe working with us
Choosing a lawyer involves more than understanding the legal issue. You also want to know how your matter will be explained, how communication will be handled and what support you can expect. Read feedback from clients who have engaged Stonegate Legal across our legal services. These reviews describe their individual experiences and are not predictions about the outcome of your matter.
Discuss your needs in an initial consultation.
How we handle a defamation matter
A plan based on the evidence and your priorities
Some clients want a publication addressed with minimal further attention. Others need to defend a substantial claim or obtain advice about proceedings. We establish your priorities early and explain the work needed at each stage.
STEP 01 — Tell us what happened
Explain the publication or allegation and provide the relevant documents. We identify immediate issues and discuss what further information is needed.
We review the material, supporting evidence and potential obstacles. You receive advice on the available options, together with the scope and estimated cost of the recommended work.
Depending on your position, this may involve a Concerns Notice, a request for information, a substantive reply or an offer to make amends. We explain the proposed approach before it is sent.
We discuss proposals against your objectives and the advice already obtained. Any agreement needs careful wording about what each party must do and which claims it resolves.
If litigation is warranted, we prepare or defend the claim and manage the work involved. We keep you informed about significant developments, costs and decisions requiring your instructions.
Defamation lawyers Brisbane: frequently asked questions
Questions to consider before taking action
The following answers address common starting points. Advice on your matter requires the actual publication and the surrounding facts.
Need advice about a particular publication?
Contact us with the material you want assessed and a brief explanation of your concern.
Free initial consultation, with no obligation to engage us.
Do I need a Brisbane lawyer if the publication appeared online?
You can seek advice from our Brisbane team about an online publication. Send the full material and explain where you and the relevant people are located. We can then assess any jurisdictional issues alongside the substance of the dispute.
What should I send before my consultation?
Provide the complete publication, its URL where available, relevant dates and any correspondence exchanged. Include surrounding messages and a brief account of what happened afterwards. If you received court documents, send all pages and record when and how they arrived.
Can I take action if the publication does not name me?
Possibly. Identification can arise from context. Tell us why you believe the audience would recognise you and provide any responses supporting that view.
Does a false allegation automatically justify a claim?
No. Falsity alone does not settle whether a claim is viable. We need to assess the publication, its meaning, identification, serious harm and potential defences.
Can my business sue for defamation?
Most corporations cannot. Exceptions include certain not-for-profit corporations and qualifying corporations with fewer than 10 employees that are not associated entities of another corporation. Public bodies are excluded. Eligible corporations must establish serious financial loss or its likelihood. We can assess eligibility.
What if I believe what I published was true?
Preserve the evidence supporting the allegation. Substantial truth may provide a defence, but the meaning complained of and the available proof need careful examination.
Should I answer a Concerns Notice myself?
Obtain advice before sending a substantive response. We can assess its particulars and discuss your evidence, defences and resolution options.
Will deleting the post end the dispute?
Do not assume removal settles the complaint. Preserve the original material and obtain advice about the remaining issues and any proposed agreement.
Can I resolve the matter without claiming compensation?
Tell us what outcome matters to you. We can discuss proposals involving removal, clarification, an apology or future publication, and whether they adequately address your concerns.
How much will the legal work cost?
The cost depends on the publication, the evidence and the stage of the dispute. We confirm the scope and pricing of proposed work before you engage us. Fixed-fee Concerns Notice services are available for suitable matters.
Can you review something before I publish it?
Yes. Send the complete draft and the documents supporting any allegations. We can review the material and advise on changes or further information needed before publication.
What does the free consultation cover?
The initial 30 minutes allow you to explain the issue and discuss the next steps with our team. A detailed assessment, written advice or preparation of documents may require a separate engagement. We explain that work and its cost before proceeding.
A few of the questions we’re asked most often by Queensland businesses and individuals considering legal action.
*No obligation consult
Contact Stonegate Legal’s Brisbane team
Get help with a damaging publication or a claim against you
Our defamation lawyers Brisbane service assists clients who need a considered response to a reputation dispute. Tell us what was published, what correspondence you have received and the outcome you are seeking.
Call 07 3180 0143 or submit an enquiry to arrange your free 30-minute initial consultation.
Brisbane appointments: Level 10, 95 North Quay, Brisbane City QLD 4000.
