Defamation lawyers act for people and businesses harmed by false publications.
firms
78
regions
16
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Defamation law requires serious harm, and claims usually must be brought within one year of publication. Concerns notices are usually required first.
Why defamation matters
Online reviews, social media and news can damage reputations quickly. Acting promptly is critical.
The Australian context
Uniform defamation laws apply across states, with a serious harm threshold, mandatory concerns notices and a one-year limitation period. Recent reforms address liability of digital intermediaries.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(414)Google rating from 414 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Executive Law Group provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Criminal Law and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreCriminal Law · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · DefamationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Sydney, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(218)Google rating from 218 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors provides legal services in Sydney, NSW. Listed practice areas include Defamation, Criminal Law and Assault & Violent Offences.
Defamation+7 moreCriminal Law · Assault & Violent Offences · Coronial Inquests · Medical Negligence · Criminal Appeals · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Fraud & White Collar CrimeNo win, no fee
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Woolloomooloo, NSW · Sydney CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(204)Google rating from 204 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Progressive Legal provides legal services in Woolloomooloo, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Defamation.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Property & Conveyancing · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law · Partner & Family Visas · Franchising
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(171)Google rating from 171 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Rostron Carlyle Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Defamation, Property & Conveyancing and Debt Recovery.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Taree, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(164)Google rating from 164 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Taree, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Personal Injury
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Toowoomba City, QLD · Toowoomba & Darling Downs
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(146)Google rating from 146 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Enterprise Legal provides legal services in Toowoomba City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Franchising.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Franchising · Commercial Property & Leasing · Defamation · Building & Construction · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Debt Recovery
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Coolangatta, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(120)Google rating from 120 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Coolangatta, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Employment Law · DefamationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(115)Google rating from 115 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Potts Bill provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Criminal Law, Domestic Violence & AVOs and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Varsity Lakes, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(111)Google rating from 111 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Collas Moro Ross Barron provides legal services in Varsity Lakes, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Partner & Family Visas and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 morePartner & Family Visas · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Family Law · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury
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Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(82)Google rating from 82 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Gibbs Wright Litigation Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law and Professional Negligence.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Professional Negligence · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · Partner & Family Visas · Defamation · Property & Conveyancing
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Noosaville, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(50)Google rating from 50 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Top rated4.8★ or higher from at least 50 Google reviews
Stonegate Legal provides legal services in Noosaville, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Building & Construction and Commercial Litigation.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreBuilding & Construction · Commercial Litigation · Debt Recovery · Insolvency & Restructuring · Personal Bankruptcy · Defamation · Business & Commercial Law
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Burnie, TAS · North West & West Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(48)Google rating from 48 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Whitelaw Legal Group provides legal services in Burnie, TAS. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Family Law.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Family Law · Contract Law · Mediation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Bundall, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9(46)Google rating from 46 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Rose Litigation Lawyers provides legal services in Bundall, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Debt Recovery and Business & Commercial Law.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreDebt Recovery · Business & Commercial Law · Building & Construction · Property & Conveyancing · Commercial Litigation · Insolvency & Restructuring · DefamationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Forster, NSW · Mid North Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(45)Google rating from 45 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Stacks Law Firm provides legal services in Forster, NSW. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Wills & Estates.
Business & Commercial Law+7 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Wills & Estates · Medical Negligence · Franchising · Debt Recovery · Defamation · Personal InjuryNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Parramatta, NSW · Western Sydney
★★★★★★★★★★4.6(44)Google rating from 44 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Redline Legal Lawyers provides legal services in Parramatta, NSW. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Family Law and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreFamily Law · Wills & Estates · Criminal Law · Business & Commercial Law · Defamation · Employment Law · Divorce & SeparationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Braddon, ACT · Canberra
★★★★★★★★★★4.3(41)Google rating from 41 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Colquhoun Murphy provides legal services in Braddon, ACT. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Defamation.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Wills & Estates · Personal Injury · Intellectual Property & Trade Marks · Employment Law · Administrative & Government Law
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Robina, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.5(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Attwood Marshall Lawyers provides legal services in Robina, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Wills & Estates and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreWills & Estates · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Family Law · Planning & Environment · Employment Law · DefamationNo win, no feeThe firm mentions no win, no fee arrangements. Confirm terms in writing.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Perth, WA · Perth CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(40)Google rating from 40 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Hale Legal provides legal services in Perth, WA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Business & Commercial Law.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreLitigation & Dispute Resolution · Business & Commercial Law · Wills & Estates · Commercial Litigation · Defamation · Coronial Inquests · Class Actions
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Maroochydore, QLD · Sunshine Coast
★★★★★★★★★★4.8(36)Google rating from 36 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Clutch Legal provides legal services in Maroochydore, QLD. Listed practice areas include Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Defamation and Commercial Litigation.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution+7 moreDefamation · Commercial Litigation · Building & Construction · Traffic Offences · Business & Commercial Law · Property & Conveyancing · Sports & Entertainment Law
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Southport, QLD · Gold Coast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(35)Google rating from 35 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Winterkorn Legal Group provides legal services in Southport, QLD. Listed practice areas include Business & Commercial Law, Property & Conveyancing and Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
Business & Commercial Law+5 moreProperty & Conveyancing · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Defamation · Commercial Litigation · Building & ConstructionFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Brisbane City, QLD · Brisbane CBD
★★★★★★★★★★5.0(33)Google rating from 33 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
Arrow White Lawyers provides legal services in Brisbane City, QLD. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Business & Commercial Law and Insolvency & Restructuring.
Property & Conveyancing+7 moreBusiness & Commercial Law · Insolvency & Restructuring · Employment Law · Corporate Law & M&A · Litigation & Dispute Resolution · Wills & Estates · DefamationFree first consultThe firm advertises a free first consultation.
Verified: phone number confirmed on the firm’s website and Google
Adelaide, SA · Adelaide CBD
★★★★★★★★★★4.7(29)Google rating from 29 reviews, retrieved 18 Sept 2026
RSA Law provides legal services in Adelaide, SA. Listed practice areas include Property & Conveyancing, Defamation and Wills & Estates.
Property & Conveyancing+5 moreDefamation · Wills & Estates · Building & Construction · Business & Commercial Law · Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Understand the next step
A practical guide to defamation
What to discuss at the first meeting
Identify the exact publication, audience, timing and person or organisation involved. Give the lawyer a copy in its original context rather than a paraphrase.
Ask for advice before sending demands or publishing a response that may create additional issues.
How the engagement may progress
01
Prepare a chronology, agreement or policy, important communications and a calculation of any claimed amount. Distinguish firsthand facts from assumptions.
02
Discuss negotiation, a complaint scheme, mediation, a tribunal or court. Ask which options are available for this particular matter.
03
Agree on a first step and a point to reassess progress and cost. Before settling, understand what claims would be released and how obligations would be recorded.
Fees and the scope of work
Request stages for advice, correspondence, negotiations and proceedings. Discuss filing, expert and barrister costs and any potential liability for another party’s costs.
Ask for a written scope identifying the work you are authorising, the person responsible and when costs will be reviewed. If you only want advice on one step, say so before the firm begins wider work.
Dates to raise at first contact
Provide every demand, decision and court document with its date. Do not assume informal negotiations suspend a response or filing deadline.
Questions to ask a defamation adviser
What immediate steps and dates need assessment?
How should further communications be handled?
What evidence would change the assessment?
Is a complaint or dispute-resolution scheme available?
What are the practical costs and risks if agreement is not reached?
Directory guidance updated 19 September 2026. General information to help you prepare for a conversation with a professional; not advice about your individual matter. Check current requirements with the relevant authority.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is a concerns notice?
A formal notice to the publisher setting out the defamatory material and harm, usually required before suing.
How much does going to court cost?
It depends on the court, the complexity and how far the matter goes. Ask for a written estimate for each stage, and remember that the losing party often pays part of the winner's costs.
Can I sue for defamation?
Possibly, if a publication identified you and caused or is likely to cause serious harm to your reputation. There are defences and strict time limits, usually one year from publication.
