Saturday, November 20, 2010

B.C. Ex-Spouse Awarded $40,000 For Defamatory Facebook, Internet Posts

Vancouver Sun reports on a British Columbia Supreme Court damages award against a former "life partner" over defamatory online postings during a bitter family law dispute:

"The reality is that Dr. [Patrick Michael] Nesbitt has taken his battle with [Wendy] Neufeld over custody and access far outside the ordinary confines of the Family Court litigation," B.C. Supreme Court Justice R. Crawford said in a recent ruling.

...Neufeld sued for defamation and breach of privacy after Nesbitt waged an online battle against her, making vicious comments about her and some friends through such avenues as Facebook and YouTube.

One online site referred to Neufeld as "mean," "weird" and "sneaky," in addition to more mean-spirited postings.

The court awarded Neufeld $40,000 in damages, finding that "Dr. Nesbitt engaged in reprehensible conduct."

The B.C. Supreme Court's ruling, which includes a good survey on the Canadian law of defamation, is here: Nesbitt v. Neufeld, 2010 BCSC 1605 (CanLII).

- Garry J. Wise, Toronto
Visit our Toronto Law Firm website: www.wiselaw.net

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