Truth, or substantial truth, is a complete defense to a claim of defamation.
Document Everything : Keep a record of the defamatory statements, including where and when they were made. Assess the Situation : Determine whether the statement is indeed defamatory. Reach Out : If possible, contact the person who made the statement. Seek Legal Advic
You have the option of taking the dispute to court. The court then issues a binding ruling which you and the other party must comply with. Proceedings will be instigated in the first instance before the sub-district court or the civil court. Which court you go to depends on the kind of case or the value of the case.
The Dutch Criminal Law seeks to protect the moral integrity of a person by forbidding slander and defamation (Articles 261 and 262 of the Dutch Criminal Code). Both slander and defamation consist of an intention to impugn the honor or reputation of another person by accusing a person of a fact in the public eye.
Freedom of expression in the Dutch Constitution can only be limited by a formal law or regulation. In the context of heckling, relevant limitations in the Dutch Criminal Code are defamation, slander, and insult; lèse-majesté; and the prohibition against incitement to religious hatred and discrimination (“hate speech”).
The law prohibits direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment) and victimisation.
Generally, to prove defamation, you must show that a false statement was made, about you, to third parties, and which caused you damage. Once you have evaluated your case, and determined that you can satisfy these elements, you can then proceed with pursuing your matter.
First Exception. —Imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published. —It is not defamation to impute anything which is true concerning any person, if it be for the public good that the imputation should be made or published. Whether or not it is for the public good is a question of fact.
The answer is yes. Personal jurisdiction over the defendant is essential in international legal disputes, much like it is in domestic ones.