The Law of Defamation in Virginia

The Law of Defamation in Virginia
Publication Date: 2022
Available Formats: Print (287 pages, softcover, 1 volume)
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Product #: 878

Information

Content Highlights:
  • Nature, Publication, and Interpretation of the Communication
  • Fact Versus Opinion
  • Defamatory Meaning
  • Truth Versus Falsity
  • Defamation by Implication
  • Defamation Per Se
  • Work-Related Defamation
  • Relationship to Other Claims
  • Statute of Limitations
  • Subject of the Communication
  • Absolute and Qualified Privilege
  • Fault: Standards and Plaintiffs
  • Imputed Liability
  • Damages
  • Initial Pleadings and Summary Dispositions
  • Litigation Issues
  • Practical Considerations

"The Law of Defamation in Virginia (Fifth Edition) explains the 101 basics of defamation law and discusses up-to-date 201 and higher topics, like internet defamation, third-party republications, anti-SLAPP laws, and John Doe anonymity. This handy deskbook also features a graphic illustration of requirements for and defenses to defamation claims as well as appendices of example actionable fact, defamatory per se, protected opinion, and privileged statements." - Joseph L. Meadows, author

Defamation cases are on the rise because of the increase in online speech, which reaches wide audiences and often touches on sensitive topics. The risks of injuring names, brands, and reputations or being accused of doing so have also increased. Yet the principles of defamation law remain the same. Defamation law represents a complicated mix of old common law principles, constitutional doctrines, and statutes. This latest edition of The Law of Defamation in Virginia continues to provide practical guidance on these principles and discusses how Virginia courts have recently interpreted them within the Internet context.

At its heart, defamation law highlights the tension between two elemental principles of Virginia’s Constitution: (i) the freedom that allows “any citizen [to] freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects”, and (ii) each citizen’s obligation to be “responsible for the abuse of that right.” Attempts to reconcile these basic principles have spawned a mishmash of rules and exceptions, and even the standard treatises offer little guidance to practitioners.

The Law of Defamation in Virginia is a thoughtful and well researched guide that covers the subject in all its complexity. Specifically designed to help Virginia lawyers understand this confusing and state-specific law, this book will help counsel to effectively represent clients involved in defamation cases.



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Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: NATURE OF THE COMMUNICATION

1.1 IN GENERAL

1.2 “COMMUNICATION” REQUIREMENT

1.3 CIVIL VERSUS CRIMINAL DEFAMATION

1.4 LIBEL VERSUS SLANDER

1.5 LIABILITY FOR THIRD PARTY’S DEFAMATION

1.6 UNITED KINGDOM LAW

CHAPTER 2: PUBLICATION OF THE COMMUNICATION


2.1 IN GENERAL

2.2 INTRA-CORPORATE COMMUNICATION
        2.201 In General
        2.202 Traditional Doctrine
        2.203 Expansion of the Doctrine
        2.204 Contraction of the Doctrine
    
2.3 OTHER PUBLICATION ISSUES

2.4 REPETITION BY THE ALLEGED DEFAMER
        2.401 In General
        2.402 Repetition Creating New Cause of Action
        2.403 Multiple Later Recipients of Defamatory
        Communication
        2.404 Possible Repetition of the Defamation

2.5 REPUBLICATION BY OTHERS
        2.501 In General
        2.502 Liability of Original Defamer
        2.503 “Compelled Self-Publication” Doctrine
        2.504 Liability of Those Who Repeat the Defamation

2.6 FAILURE TO ACT AS ACTIONABLE “PUBLICATION”
        2.601 In General
        2.602 Failure to Retract
        2.603 Failure to Correct Third Party’s Statement
    
2.7 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 3: INTERPRETING THE COMMUNICATION

3.1 BASIC RULES

3.2 PRINT MEDIA
        3.201 In General
        3.202 Headlines
        3.203 Electronic Media
        3.204 Advertisements or Promotions
    
3.3 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 4: FACT VERSUS OPINION

4.1 IN GENERAL

4.2 FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION

4.3 VIRGINIA CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION

4.4 FOUR-PART TEST

4.5 DIFFICULTY OF DRAWING THE LINE

4.6 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPINION AND FACTS

4.7 IRONIC NATURE OF THE OPINION DOCTRINE

4.8 VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT CASES

4.9 EXAMPLES OF ACTIONABLE STATEMENTS OF FACT

4.10 EXAMPLES OF NONACTIONABLE OPINION
        4.1001 In General
        4.1002 Virginia Cases
        4.1003 Cases from Other States

4.11 WORKPLACE DEFAMATION

4.12 RHETORICAL HYPERBOLE

4.13 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 5: DEFAMATORY MEANING

5.1 IN GENERAL

5.2 PER SE VERSUS PER QUOD DEFAMATION

5.3 ELEMENTS (INCLUDING THE “STING”)
        5.301 In General
        5.302 Acceptance as Truth
        5.303 Required “Sting”
        5.304 Required Overlap of Falsity and Sting
    
5.4 DIFFICULTY OF DRAWING THE LINE

5.5 EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS CAPABLE OF
DEFAMATORY MEANING

5.6 EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS NOT CAPABLE OF
DEFAMATORY MEANING

5.7 JOB EVALUATIONS AND TERMINATIONS

5.8 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY
        5.801 General Rule
        5.802 Sufficiency of Proof
    
CHAPTER 6: TRUTH VERSUS FALSITY

6.1 IN GENERAL

6.2 BURDEN OF PROOF

6.3 “SUBSTANTIAL TRUTH”

6.4 EXAMPLES OF TECHNICALLY FALSE BUT
“SUBSTANTIALLY TRUE” STATEMENTS

6.5 TRUE STATEMENTS WITH DEFAMATORY IMPLICATIONS

6.6 TRUTHFUL TRANSMISSION OF A THIRD PARTY’S
DEFAMATION WITHOUT ENDORSEMENT

6.7 TRUE STATEMENTS BELIEVED TO BE FALSE

6.8 BINDING NATURE OF PLAINTIFF’S ADMISSION
OF TRUTH

6.9 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 7: DEFAMATION BY IMPLICATION

7.1 IN GENERAL

7.2 VIRGINIA APPROACH

7.3 EXAMPLES OF STATEMENTS CARRYING
DEFAMATORY IMPLICATION

7.4 EXAMPLES OF STATEMENTS NOT CARRYING
DEFAMATORY IMPLICATION

7.5 INTENT

7.6 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 8: DEFAMATION PER SE

8.1 IN GENERAL

8.2 CATEGORIES

8.3 SPECIAL DAMAGES

8.4 EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS CONSTITUTING
DEFAMATION PER SE

8.5 EXAMPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS NOT CONSTITUTING
DEFAMATION PER SE

8.6 CONFUSION ABOUT THE PER SE DOCTRINE

8.7 WORKPLACE DEFAMATION

8.8 DEFAMATION OF CORPORATIONS

8.9 CONTINUING IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE

8.10 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 9: WORK-RELATED DEFAMATION

9.1 IN GENERAL

9.2 FEDERAL LABOR LAW PREEMPTION

9.3 FEDERAL ERISA PREEMPTION

9.4 OSHA PREEMPTION

9.5 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW

9.6 ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS

9.7 COMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIMS

9.8 OTHER ISSUES

CHAPTER 10: RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER CLAIMS

10.1 IN GENERAL

10.2 CONSTITUTIONAL TORTS

10.3 INSULTING WORDS
        10.301 In General
        10.302 Emphasis on Likely Effect
        10.303 Continuing Debate About the Elements
        10.304 Examples of Communications Stating an
        Insulting Words Claim
        10.305 Examples of Communications Not Stating an
        Insulting Words Claim
        10.306 Role of Court and Jury
        10.307 Right to Privacy and “False Light”
    
10.4 MISAPPROPRIATION OF NAME OR LIKENESS FOR
COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

10.5 OTHER COMMON LAW TORT CLAIMS BY PUBLIC
PLAINTIFFS

10.6 INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

10.7 INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACT

10.8 TORTS FOCUSING ON THE NEWSGATHERING PROCESS

10.9 STATUTORY CONSPIRACY

10.10 CONTRACTS

10.11 RICO CLAIMS

10.12 OTHER STATUTES

CHAPTER 11: STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

11.1 IN GENERAL

11.2 PUBLICATION

11.3 “SINGLE PUBLICATION” RULE
        11.301 In General
        11.302 Media Cases
        11.303 Nonmedia Cases
    
11.4 ACCRUAL BASED ON EXTRINSIC EVENTS

11.5 REPUBLICATION

11.6 ACTIONS BASED ON THIRD PARTY’S COMMUNICATION

11.7 PLEADING EXACT WORDS AS CREATING A NEW
CAUSE OF ACTION

11.8 TOLLING OF THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

11.9 SIMULTANEOUS CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES

11.10 RELATION BACK

11.11 CHOICE OF LAW

11.12 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 12: SUBJECT OF THE COMMUNICATION

12.1 INTRODUCTION

12.2 “OF AND CONCERNING” TEST
        12.201 In General
        12.202 Naming the Test
        12.203 Substance
    
12.3 CATEGORIES OF SUBJECTS
        12.301 In General
        12.302 Group Libel
        12.303 Deceased Persons
    
12.4 PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE
        12.401 In General
        12.402 Reason for the Difference
        12.403 Public Plaintiffs
    
12.5 CORPORATE PLAINTIFFS
        12.501 In General
        12.502 Public Versus Private
        12.503 Standing Issues
    
12.6 “LIBEL-PROOF” DOCTRINE AND RELATED CONCEPTS

12.7 PRODUCT DISPARAGEMENT

12.8 SLANDER OF TITLE

12.9 FOOD DISPARAGEMENT

12.10 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 13: ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE

13.1 IN GENERAL

13.2 GOVERNMENTS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES
        13.201 In General
        13.202 Federal and State Governments
        13.203 Foreign Governments
        13.204 Government Officials

13.3 STATUTORY ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE
        13.301 In General
        13.302 Federal Statutes
        13.303 Virginia Statutes
    
13.4 CHURCH MATTERS

13.5 LEGISLATORS

13.6 MANDATED STATEMENTS

13.7 CHARITABLE IMMUNITY

13.8 JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
        13.801 In General
        13.802 Pleadings
        13.803 Testimony
    
13.9 QUASI-JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
        13.901 In General
        13.902 Factors
        13.903 Examples
    
13.10 CONTEXT OF THE STATEMENTS: PERIPHERAL
COMMUNICATIONS
        13.1001 Press Release Announcing Lawsuit
        13.1002 Restatement Standard
        13.1003 Virginia Approach
        13.1004 Account of Public Records Qualified Privilege
    
13.11 LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS

13.12 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 14: QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE

14.1 IN GENERAL

14.2 STATUTORY QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE

14.3 COMMON LAW QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE GENERALLY
        14.301 Defendant’s Status
        14.302 Context of Statement
        14.303 Examples

14.4 ABUSE OF THE PRIVILEGE
        14.401 In General
        14.402 Type of Abuse That Can Overcome a
        Qualified Privilege
        14.403 Confusion About the Type of Malice That
        Can Overcome a Qualified Privilege
        14.404 Defendant’s Failure to Retract a False and
        Defamatory Statement
    
14.5 FAIR REPORTS OF PUBLIC RECORDS
        14.501 In General
        14.502 Level of Privilege
        14.503 Applicability
        14.504 Type of “Malice” Required to Overcome the
        Qualified Privilege
    
14.6 COMMENT ON MATTERS OF PUBLIC CONCERN

14.7 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 15: FAULT: DEFINING THE STANDARDS

15.1 INTRODUCTION

15.2 CONSTITUTIONAL MALICE
        15.201 In General
        15.202 Defining the Terms
        15.203 Applying the General Rules
    
15.3 NEGLIGENCE

CHAPTER 16: FAULT: PUBLIC PLAINTIFFS

16.1 IN GENERAL

16.2 HISTORY

16.3 NEW YORK TIMES DOCTRINE

16.4 DEFAMATORY IMPLICATION

16.5 DEFENDANTS WHO DENY MAKING THE ALLEGED
STATEMENTS

16.6 BURDEN OF PROOF

16.7 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 17: FAULT: PRIVATE PLAINTIFFS

17.1 IN GENERAL

17.2 THE VIRGINIA STANDARD GENERALLY
        17.201 Threshold Determination
        17.202 Dual Standard
    
17.3 APPLYING THE STANDARD
        17.301 In General
        17.302 Courts’ Determination
        17.303 Per Se Defamation
    
17.4 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 18: IMPUTED LIABILITY

18.1 IN GENERAL

18.2 CORPORATIONS

18.3 AGENT’S INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY

18.4 PRINCIPAL’S PRIMARY LIABILITY FOR THIRD
PARTY’S DEFAMATION

18.5 COMPENSATORY DAMAGES

18.6 PUNITIVE DAMAGES

18.7 ROLE OF COURT AND JURY

CHAPTER 19: DAMAGES

19.1 IN GENERAL

19.2 PRESUMED DAMAGES
        19.201 In General
        19.202 Availability
        19.203 Categories of Defamation Per Se
        19.204 Fault Requirement
        19.205 Scope
        19.206 Role of Court and Jury
    
19.3 COMPENSATORY DAMAGES
        19.301 In General
        19.302 Speculative Nature
        19.303 Limiting Factors
        19.304 Exacerbating Factors
        19.305 Attorney Fees
        19.306 Burden of Proof
        19.307 Role of Court and Jury
    
19.4 PUNITIVE DAMAGES
        19.401 In General
        19.402 Public Plaintiffs
        19.403 Private Plaintiffs
        19.404 Statutory Cap
        19.405 Discussing Punitive Damages
        19.406 Role of Court and Jury

19.5 STATUTORY MITIGATION

CHAPTER 20: LITIGATION: PRELIMINARY ISSUES

20.1 IN GENERAL

20.2 ARBITRATION

20.3 EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES

20.4 STANDING

20.5 SUING THE RIGHT DEFENDANT

20.6 SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION: FEDERAL COURTS
        20.601 Preemption
        20.602 Jurisdiction of State Claims in Federal Court
        20.603 Diversity Jurisdiction
        20.604 Forum Non Conveniens
    
20.7 SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION: STATE COURTS

20.8 PERSONAL JURISDICTION

20.9 LONG-ARM JURISDICTION: TRADITIONAL RULES
        20.901 In General
        20.902 Section 8.01-328.1(A)(1)
        20.903 Section 8.01-328.1(A)(3)
        20.904 Section 8.01-328.1(A)(4)
        20.905 Conspiracy
    
20.10 LONG-ARM JURISDICTION: INTERNET DEFAMATION
        20.1001 In General
        20.1002 Section 8.01-328.1(A)(3)
        20.1003 Section 8.01-328.1(A)(4)
    
20.11 VENUE

20.12 CHOICE OF LAWS
        20.1201 Substantive Law
        20.1202 National Media Cases
        20.1203 Statute of Limitations
    
CHAPTER 21: LITIGATION: INITIAL PLEADINGS AND
SUMMARY DISPOSITIONS


21.1 IN GENERAL

21.2 INITIAL PLEADING: IDENTIFYING THE EXACT
DEFAMATORY STATEMENT
        21.201 In General
        21.202 State Courts
        21.203 Federal Courts
    
21.3 INITIAL PLEADING: OTHER SPECIFICITY
REQUIREMENTS
        21.301 In General
        21.302 Details of Facts and Circumstances
        21.303 Facts Supporting Malice Allegations
        21.304 Plaintiff’s Identity
        21.305 Defendant’s Identity
        21.306 Other Requirements

21.4 STATUTORY PROVISIONS

21.5 COURT AS GATEKEEPER

21.6 DEMURRERS

21.7 NEW FEDERAL STANDARD FOR MOTION TO DISMISS

21.8 PRESERVING DEFENSES AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL
DEMURRER

21.9 REPLEADING

21.10 NONSUITS

21.11 MOTIONS TO STRIKE

21.12 AMENDMENTS

21.13 SUMMARY JUDGMENT
        21.1301 In General
        21.1302 Federal Courts
        21.1303 State Courts
    
CHAPTER 22: LITIGATION: OTHER ISSUES

22.1 IN GENERAL

22.2 DISCOVERY
        22.201 In General
        22.202 Counterintuitive Role of Truth
        22.203 Plaintiff’s Right to Discover a Media Defendant’s
        Editorial Process
        22.204 Discovery of an Anonymous Internet Poster’s Identity
        22.205 Limitations on Discovery
        22.206 Other Discovery Issues

22.3 DILEMMA FACING DEFENDANTS WHO DENY MAKING
THE DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS

22.4 REPORTER’S PRIVILEGE

22.5 JUDICIAL ESTOPPEL

22.6 COLLATERAL ESTOPPEL

22.7 INJUNCTIONS

22.8 CONSENT

22.9 EVIDENTIARY ISSUES
        22.901 General Rule
        22.902 Admissibility of Evidence
        22.903 Statutory Prohibitions
        22.904 Plaintiffs’ Admissions
        22.905 Expert Testimony
        22.906 Preserving Defenses
        22.907 Motions In Limine
    
22.10 SANCTIONS

22.11 JURY INSTRUCTIONS
        22.1101 In General
        22.1102 Varying Burdens of Proof
        22.1103 Statements to Be Reviewed by the Jury
        22.1104 Proper Instruction for Interpreting the Alleged
        Defamatory Statement
        22.1105 Special Jury Interrogatories and Verdict Forms
        22.1106 Other Jury Instruction Issues

22.12 OFFSET

22.13 RULE 50 MOTIONS

22.14 REMITTITUR

22.15 NEW TRIALS

22.16 AVOIDING CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES

22.17 OTHER ISSUES

CHAPTER 23: LITIGATION: APPEALS

23.1 IN GENERAL

23.2 STANDARD OF REVIEW
        23.201 In General
        23.202 Constitutional Malice Issues
        23.203 No Constitutional Malice Issues
        23.204 Federal Courts’ Standards of Review
    
23.3 DAMAGES
        23.301 In General
        23.302 Compensatory Damages
        23.303 Punitive Damages
        23.304 Virginia Trend

23.4 REMITTITUR

23.5 OTHER ISSUES

CHAPTER 24: PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

24.1 IN GENERAL

24.2 SEEKING NON-LITIGATION RELIEF

24.3 MIRAGE OF SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES

24.4 “SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET”

24.5 MEDIA DEFENDANTS’ ABILITY TO DECLARE A VICTORY

24.6 CONCLUSION

TABLE OF AUTHORITIES

INDEX

Authors

Joseph L. Meadows

Joseph L. Meadows is a former DOJ Honors Program trial attorney and current litigation partner with Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP in the firm’s Washington, D.C. and Alexandria, Virginia offices. He focuses on Internet defamation, cyberattacks, e-commerce, and business dispute matters. Since 1998, Joe has tried cases before judges and juries, arbitrated commercial disputes, and argued trial and appellate matters in federal and state courts.

Joe founded Internet defamation practice areas at his current and prior law firms. He has litigated and counseled clients in the pursuit or defense of defamation, libel, product disparagement, invasion of privacy, and derivative claims. He is connected with a number of digital forensics and public relations crisis experts. He has been retained as an expert witness in defamation law, featured as a defamation litigator in national articles and on radio shows, and presented on Internet defamation for CLE programs.

Joe is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. He received his B.S. in Accounting (cum laude) from Wake Forest University, his J.D. (Order of the Coif) from West Virginia University College of Law, and LL.M. in Taxation (with Distinction) from Georgetown University Law Center. He also passed the North Carolina CPA exam. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and three children.

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