Lawyers for libel and slander

Letslaw is a law firm specialized in the defense in proceedings concerning slander and libel.

The right to honor is protected by Article 18.1 of the Spanish Constitution. This right may come into conflict with the right to freedom of expression as set out in Article 20 of the Constitution, although this right is limited precisely by the right to honor, privacy and one’s own image.

We distinguish between slander and libel as attacks on the right to honor.

• Slander is, according to article 205 of the Penal Code, “the imputation of a crime made with knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth”.
• Slander, is “the action or expression that injures the dignity of another person, undermining his or her reputation or undermining his or her self-esteem.” As provided for in Article 208 of the Penal Code. In these cases, only insults of a serious nature constitute an offence. That is, with the exception of those persons referred to in Article 173.2 of the Criminal Code, such as the spouse, a person who is or has been linked by a similar relationship of affection even without cohabitation, ascendants, descendants or siblings.

The penalties for this type of offences included in the Criminal Code, in the case of slander, will be punished with prison sentences of 6 months to 2 years or a fine of 12 to 24 months, if they are spread with publicity and, otherwise, with a fine of 6 to 12 months.

In the case of serious offences committed with publicity, a fine of 6 to 14 months and, otherwise, a fine of 3 to 7 months.

For these actions to be considered as having been carried out with publicity, it is necessary that they have been propagated by means of printing, broadcasting, or any other means of similar effectiveness.

These offences are private offences, so in order to prosecute them, the offended party must file a complaint.

Letslaw can help you whether you have been accused of a crime against honor or have been the victim of a crime of slander and libel in order to obtain the corresponding financial compensation and the conviction of the perpetrator.

• followed in Spain.