Defamatory statements against McDonalds owner comes back to bite defendant

Defamatory posts on Facebook costs defendant after recent Victorian Supreme Court decision.

In brief: Defamatory posts on Facebook about a McDonalds' owner has resulted in the person who posted them coughing up $200,000 in damages after a recent decision of the Victorian Supreme Court¹.

Take home points:

• Do not ignore legal proceedings – the Defendant failed to file a defence and a judgment was made in default of defence (without a trial). The Court then had to hear evidence to determine the award of damages.
• You do not need to name the person in your post – if they can be identified (in this case "the owner of the local McDonalds") this is sufficient for defamation laws to apply.