Defamation

Defamation protects personal reputation against statements that lower a person in the estimation of others. Swiss law treats reputation through civil personality rights and, in serious cases, criminal offences against honour. A claimant typically focuses on the statement, its communication to third parties, its defamatory meaning, unlawfulness and resulting harm or need for protection. Truth, overriding public interest, fair reporting and opinion may be relevant, but their effect depends on context and forum. Compared with common-law jurisdictions, Swiss practice is less centred on jury damages and more on injunctions, rectification, removal, declaratory relief, satisfaction and, where proven, compensation.