A probate executive’s reviews in which she accused her former employer, a solicitor, of being dishonest and incompetent have been found to be defamatory at common law.
Shanaz Niazi left three one-star reviews on two different review websites in 2024 after leaving Croydon-based B&L Solicitors, owned by Elaine Liddle. Liddle issued proceedings on a number of issues following Niazi's departure. Niazi denies the allegations against her. Liddle also issued a defamation claim.
The judgment in TWH Legal Services Limited T/A B&L Solicitors & Anor v Shanaz & Anor deals only with the preliminary issues in the libel claim, including the meaning of the three reviews and whether they are defamatory.
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Finding the first review defamatory at common law, Deputy High Court judge Guy Vassall-Adams KC said: ‘I think the ordinary reasonable reader would form the impression that [Niazi] is someone with an axe to grind. However, it does not follow that the ordinary reasonable reader wouldn’t take the allegations seriously. In the circumstances, I think the ordinary reasonable reader would take the allegations seriously.
‘Allegations about a professional person that impugn their honesty, integrity and professionalism are plainly likely to lower their estimation in the eyes of others and to have a substantial adverse effect on the way they are treated by other people.’
Referring to the second review, the judge said the allegations were all defamatory at common law adding: ‘These are serious allegations to level at any person, particularly a professional person whose business depends on securing the trust of the general public.’
The judge found the reviews were not defamatory of the firm at common law and as such, B&L did not have its own libel claim.
