Do I need a solicitor to help me bring my harassment to an end?
If you're experiencing online harassment, you may be wondering whether you need a solicitor to step in. It's a common question, especially when you've already tried everything you can to report posts, explain your side, or contact platform support. This is exactly what Jessica Hall tried to do for several months as she followed all the advice available to her, reported the abuse, contacted the platforms, and even attempted to reason with the person behind the attacks. But nothing worked. The harassment continued, and so did the damage to her wellbeing and professional life.
Harassment of a solicitor – case background
Jessica Hall (not her real name) , a legal professional operating a successful will writing company, approached us after enduring a sustained campaign of online harassment. Over the course of two years, an individual from her local community falsely accused her of fraud, professional misconduct, and impersonating a legal professional. These damaging claims were posted across Facebook community groups, buy-and-sell forums, and third-party review sites, causing serious reputational and emotional harm. Jessica’s firm, Heritage Legal Planning, has a track record of integrity, serving over 75,000 clients including NHS staff and local police. Although she had no direct involvement with the case that triggered the abuse, she was wrongly targeted due to her role as the firm’s founder and public face.
Why was our client defamed and harassed online
The campaign began following a dispute over a will. Jessica’s company had been instructed to revise testamentary documents for a vulnerable elderly couple, who alleged coercion by one of their children in an earlier will. Jessica was not personally involved in drafting the documents, but her name surfaced in correspondence as part of the firm’s official response to legal threats. When the disgruntled family member discovered that the original will had been changed, they began posting defamatory material online, using aliases such as "Lily Rose" and posing as past clients. They claimed Jessica was unqualified and had deceived the family, even though these claims were completely false.
Impact of the harassment on the harassment victim
Despite being a legal professional herself, Jessica spent months trying to manage the abuse alone. She reported posts, responded to false claims, and even contacted platform administrators directly, but nothing seemed to stop the spread. The feeling of helplessness became overwhelming. The attacks were not just professional but deeply personal—her name, photo, and reputation were being tarnished in front of her local community and clients. The impact on her family was equally distressing. Her partner became anxious each time her name appeared online, and her children began asking why people were being 'mean to Mum' on the internet. Jessica’s sleep suffered, her confidence plummeted, and she began to dread opening her phone each morning. What was most disheartening for Jessica was that, even with her legal background, the abuse had made her feel powerless. Jessica came to us with two clear goals; namely, to stop the online harassment and to protect her professional reputation and business interests without enduring the stress of lengthy litigation
Challenges we faced in the harassment case
From the moment we accepted Jessica’s case, it became clear that this was not a straightforward matter. We were facing a layered and emotionally charged situation involving not only high volumes of defamatory content but also deep psychological impact on a client who had already exhausted all her own resources. Despite her legal training, Jessica had found herself stonewalled by platforms, ignored by moderators, and unsupported by the police. Added to this was the urgency created by looming defamation limitation deadlines. Many of the most serious posts were fast approaching the one-year cut-off point, after which legal remedies would no longer be available. This left us with little time to act, and no margin for delay.
At the same time, identifying and mapping the full spread of the abuse presented another obstacle. Dozens of posts had appeared under false names across different Facebook groups and forums, many of them vague but clearly insinuating wrongdoing. The scattered and ambiguous nature of the content meant that the harm was wide-ranging but hard to isolate. Complicating things further was Jessica’s state of mind—she was worn out, highly anxious, and unsure whether anything would actually change. She didn’t just need legal action; she needed reassurance that something could be done, and that someone would fight her corner without adding further stress. These were the obstacles we needed to overcome to achieve her goals, which are typical challenges in online harassment cases. Many victims of online harassment will recognise those challenges from their own cases:
First, the defamatory content had been posted under multiple aliases and was scattered across a wide range of Facebook community groups and review platforms, making it difficult to trace and verify all the damaging material. Some posts had already been shared, reshared, and screen-captured by third parties, which meant the risk of ongoing reputational harm persisted even if the original content was removed.
Second, the abuse was not limited to one or two isolated posts. There was a clear and sustained campaign targeting Jessica and her firm, blending innuendo, outright lies, and doctored accusations, making it harder to address through standard take-down procedures. We needed to ensure that each platform received sufficient evidence to act swiftly, and that we could track what had been removed, edited, or remained live.
Third, we were working against the clock. Several posts were approaching the 12-month limitation deadline for bringing a defamation claim. Without swift intervention, Jessica’s options to formally address the most damaging content would have expired, leaving her vulnerable to further harm with limited legal recourse.
Finally, Jessica herself had already spent months trying to engage with platforms, law enforcement, and even the poster directly and all without success. By the time she approached us, she felt burnt out, anxious, and sceptical about whether any intervention would work. Rebuilding her confidence and trust in a legal process was as important as the legal remedies themselves.
How we have won the case of harassment
We began by preserving all online evidence, including Facebook posts, pseudonymous reviews, and misleading group comments. This was an essential first step, as digital content can be easily deleted, edited, or hidden—sometimes without warning. While screenshots can be helpful for visual reference, they are rarely sufficient on their own for legal purposes. They often lack verifiable metadata such as time and date stamps or URL information, which is vital for proving the context and origin of a post.
Why it is important to accurately preserve evidence in online harassment cases
To meet the legal standard required for platforms or courts, we ensured that every item of evidence was captured with full URLs, visible timestamps, and accurate metadata. This included downloading page source data where necessary, archiving web pages, and creating authenticated copies of high-risk content. Without this rigorous preservation, key evidence may have been lost or dismissed, limiting our ability to take meaningful action. We advised Jessica on potential legal claims including defamation, malicious falsehood, harassment, and data protection breaches.
Letter of claim in harassment cases
We issued a formal Letter of Claim to both the originator and her partner, warning them of the seriousness of their actions and the risk of legal proceedings. At the same time, we reached out to Facebook to request the removal of defamatory content, contacted the administrator of a Facebook group where harmful posts had been shared, and submitted a complaint to Trustpilot about a false and damaging review. These parallel actions ensured that every avenue was being used to reduce the online harm while legal options were being explored. We also continued to advise Jessica on her broader legal strategy, including whether to pursue protective claims or injunctions should the conduct escalate again.
Resolving harassment means taking a long term pragmatic view
Following our intervention, most of the harmful content was either taken down or amended. In several instances, we reached a practical compromise with platform moderators or the individual responsible, whereby posts were edited to remove defamatory or harassing elements while preserving innocuous commentary. This approach helped reduce hostility and de-escalated the situation, while still protecting Jessica’s legal position. By accepting amendments in some cases, rather than insisting on full removal, we were able to secure faster outcomes that aligned with our client’s goals and reduced the likelihood of further provocation or retaliation.
Facebook responded positively after reviewing the material and removed the flagged posts. Trustpilot deleted a particularly damaging review that falsely accused Jessica's firm of unethical conduct. The defamatory content stopped circulating, and the individual responsible ceased posting altogether. What made this resolution particularly effective was the clarity and seriousness of our legal communication. The Letter of Claim, combined with direct platform reports and the looming threat of harassment litigation, sent a strong and unambiguous message: the abuse would no longer go unchallenged. Behind the scenes, we remained in close contact with Jessica, updating her on each development and carefully managing communications to avoid reigniting the conflict. Her confidence gradually returned as each platform responded, and as the visibility of harmful content dropped, her anxiety eased.
Why you may want to settle your case of harassment
Crucially, Jessica did not have to initiate court proceedings. She was spared the cost, time, and stress of litigation, which was a great relief considering the emotional toll she had already endured. The resolution achieved her goals—removal of harmful content, restoration of her professional standing, and peace of mind—without the need for court involvement. It was a clear reminder that decisive, well-timed action can deliver meaningful results outside the courtroom. Jessica was able to resume her professional and personal life without the burden of public attacks hanging over her. Clients who had been hesitant returned, and the reputational damage was contained.
Lawyer thoughts about the case
This case highlights the importance of obtaining legal advice in harassment cases as soon as possible. Social media and review platforms can be exploited to amplify falsehoods, especially in small communities. Jessica's case shows the difference professional legal help can make. Before coming to us, she had spent months trying to handle the problem on her own reporting posts, contacting platforms, and appealing to moderators. Yet, like many individuals in her position, she was met with automated replies, closed feedback loops, and no meaningful results. Platforms often make it incredibly difficult for users to reach the right teams, particularly when abuse spans multiple groups and fake identities.
As professionals experienced in online defamation and harassment cases, we were able to bypass those dead ends. In many cases, we deal directly with legal or escalations teams at platforms—teams not accessible to the general public. Our evidence was presented to the right people in the right format, supported by legal standards that the platforms recognise. Combined with a formal harassment cease and desist letter (Letter of Claim) and our reputation for acting decisively, this approach succeeded where Jessica’s personal efforts had failed. With swift action, legally sound evidence gathering, and a structured communication strategy, even serious online abuse can be brought to a close without needing to step into a courtroom. If you're facing a similar situation, get in touch. We're here to help you reclaim your reputation and peace of mind.