Defamation is the act of publishing false statements about a person or business that harm their reputation. It can occur through written words (libel) or spoken words (slander). In WA, defamation claims are governed by the Defamation Act 2005, which outlines your rights to seek compensation or retraction. It can be a delicate form of law, as it requires complex navigation of that crossover between free speech and harmful language that can have real repercussions for an individual or business.