Has anyone faced libel threats after reviewing a private school on mumsnet?

[Epwell]

Anyone else been threatened with libel for posting less-than-positive reviews about City of London Freemen's School?

I don't see how they'd get your details

How would that work?

Via mumsnet

How would mumsnet have peoples real details?

so youre saying that Mumsnet gave the school your data without your consent so they can threaten to take you to court for libel?

Mumsnet says that they will release my details if ordered to do so by the court.

Op do yourself a favour and simply ask MN to delete the post

Then move on

There is a defence of truth to libel actions... can you back up what you said?

In the past posters have been threatened with legal action and MN have advised them to delete the posts or MN will have no option but to release the details. you are responsible for what you post on mumsnet, and if you’re committing libel against an institution then you’re responsible for the consequences of so doing. The internet is not an anonymous platform, regardless of what people think.

Now if it was the case of it being one post then deleting it could have the desired outcome, but as it looks as if you have waged a sustained campaign against this school mn will absolutely have to release your details if they’re requested to do so by the courts.

You have no-one to blame but yoursef

I did but for a state school! I wasn’t. The head space to fight it even though not a word I had said was untrue. Wish I had been.

Just to add, Mumsnet were lovely and i felt supported in whatever decision I wanted to choose.

And just to add, posting potentially defamatory comments about an institution over a number of years and then posting that said institution is threatening you with legal action based on those comments on the same website that you posted the original comments on, under the same username, is a spectacularly stupid thing to do.

You said on another post that you are over 60 years old so it's probably a while since your child actually attended this school. Why are you so hung up about it that you write post upon post about how awful it was and what a bad mistake it was to send your child there? You desperately need to move on.

Yes, if they get a court order your details that they have will be released and you can probably be traced via IP address. Hopefully the school doesn't have the funds to pursue libel action but for gods sake take this as a sign to stop doing this. Now.

If I were you I would ask for this post to be deleted - if they are genuinely threatening to take you for court for libel then all you are doing is making the situation worse by alerting posters to previous posts on this site by looking up your history (which might also be your intention of course). If you can back up what you have said with evidence then you can defend your position but regardless I would really stop posting about the school - it’s your opinion and your child, it will not be the experience of the many other parents who do happily send their children there (who otherwise would vote with their wallet and remove). If the school are taking action then you are presumably waging a sustained campaign and the school is fed up.

You're posting rumours about staff members having affairs and things. It's way beyond an opinion about the school. OP, you are unhinged. In the biggest ironic twist, you also post that you are a solicitor. You couldn't make it up.

I guess if her adult child is still suffering from the effects of severe bullying it is still of relevance to the OP.

If you genuinely believe what you are saying and wish the world to know ...and have very deep pockets....then maybe a libel case is exactly the platform you need...

Sadly yes, Mumsnet will have to release your details if ordered to do so by a court

You are not the only person to be threatened with a libel suit after posting something negative about a business. Most businesses don't follow through with the threats. You are safe provided you can prove that any factual comments you made are true and any opinions you stated were your honest opinion. That won't stop them taking you to court, but they would lose if they did and have to pay your legal costs, although that probably wouldn't cover your full costs.

Mumsnet will have to release your details to the school if ordered to do so by the courts.

I was once threatened with libel on another group when I said that I would not touch a particular perforing arts institution with a bargepole! Hilarious. I refused to delete my comments as it was my honest opinion and i gave particular reasons for it (lack of an accredited qualification for one). Said institution now no longer insists.

I truly wish I could say certain things about the school my daughter attended. She had six wonderful years there but after a complete change of managent it became a toxic environment, but due to a family member working there things were awkward. It seems that lots of staff and ex staff are complainign of bullying though. (My dd was targeted because of her family member).

If you are simply being nasty and saying things based on events a long time ago and cannot back up your opinion then yes, they could get a court order for mumsnet to release your details. if what you say is true then you have nothing to worry about.

Queen Ethelburger school have threatened mmsnet users in the past. Some members refused to delete their posts and i don't think they got anywhere because everything stated was factual.

Yes. From a private girls school that is going down the tubes due to financial incompetence. I deleted the post and reposted it with very carefully worded nuance, talking about the questions I would ask if I were a prospective parent. I was also very clear that what I was talking about was true. That post was allowed to stand.