Defamation and Media Law
Our lawyers have extensive experience in the specialized field of media and defamation/libel law, as well as in related proceedings like anti-SLAPP motions, proceedings to obtain Norwich orders (e.g. orders identifying anonymous authors of online information), motions for publication bans and/or sealing orders, actions involving invasion of privacy torts, breach of copyright claims and access to information/FOI proceedings. We have successfully defended major defamation claims in complex, high-stakes litigation on behalf of media companies and private individuals alike. Our firm also acts for individual and corporate plaintiffs in defamation disputes, helping to effectively protect reputational interests. We have particular expertise in anti-SLAPP motions, where our lawyers have successfully acted for parties bringing and resisting such motions, as well as for interveners in some of the leading anti-SLAPP cases at the Supreme Court of Canada. Finally, we provide fast and reliable pre-publication advice to leading leading media outlets, publishers and private individuals who are seeking to minimize their risk of defamation, copyright and invasion of privacy claims.
Practice Areas
Defamation
Anti-SLAPP motions
Pre-publication advice
Norwich orders
Publication bans and sealing orders
Access to information/FOI proceedings
Copyright claims
Privacy torts
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Representative Work
Acting for the CBC in successfully defending numerous defamation-related proceedings, including a rare multi-million dollar claim that went to trial and then an appeal: Muzik v. CBC et al., 2023 MBCA 95
Acting for media defendants and private parties in multiple successful anti-SLAPP proceedings and appeals, including those where the defendants have received full indemnity costs: see, e.g., Stackhouse, Jr. v. CBC, 2025 ONSC 3183; Fowlie v. Spinney, 2024 ONSC 5080; Kam v. CBC, 2021 ONSC 2537, aff’d 2022 ONCA 13.
Acting for plaintiffs seeking to resist anti-SLAPP motions, including on appeal: Paul v. Madawaska Valley (Township), 2022 ONCA 444.
Acting for interveners in anti-SLAPP appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada: Hansman v. Neufeld, 2023 SCC 14; 1704604 Ontario Ltd. v. Pointes Protection Association, 2020 SCC 22.
Acting for media parties/requesters in FOI proceedings and resulting judicial reviews/appeals, including before the Supreme Court of Canada: Ontario (Attorney General) v. Ontario (Information and Privacy Commissioner), 2024 SCC 4.
Providing pre-publication advice to media companies (domestic and foreign), publishing houses and private individuals.
Acting for parties seeking to unseal court records and/or resist publication bans: Capital City News Group Ltd. v. British Columbia, 2022 BCSC 1899
Representing corporations and private individuals in multi-million dollar defamation proceedings (many of which settle prior to trial)
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Recognition
Best Lawyers – Defamation & Media Law (Andrea Gonsalves and Justin Safayeni)
Best Lawyers – Tier 1 (Toronto) firm for Defamation and Media Law
Lexpert – Defamation & Media Law, consistently recommended (Justin Safayeni) and repeatedly recommended (Andrea Gonsalves)
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