Partner Abigail Healey comments on defamation laws and reputation protection, in City AM

Commenting in City AM, Partner Abigail Healey explores defamation laws and their diverging legal frameworks in the UK and US, as well as how they can act as an important means of protecting reputations and offering vital public redress.

Abigail’s comments were published in City AM, 24 July 2025, and can be found here.

“The law of defamation serves to protect reputations and offer public vindication when falsehoods cause real harm. For most claimants, it’s not about money – it’s about setting the record straight.

“In the US, the burden of proof is on the claimant, who typically has to prove that the statements that were published to a third party were false and caused damage. This differs to England and Wales, where the burden of proof rests with a defendant (who wishes to rely on a defence of truth) to prove that the statements were in fact true. This can make it easier to succeed in a claim in the UK than in the US.

“The Macrons have reportedly already provided Candace Owens credible evidence disproving her claims. If that is the case, then one might expect the Macrons to be in a strong position to show – even under the US’ tougher laws – that Owens acted with malice and a disregard for the truth.”