Legal removal, coordinated with specialist solicitors
Evidence packs and coordination with solicitors when content is unlawful and voluntary routes fail.
When content is false and seriously harmful, or unlawfully invades privacy, and the publisher will not act voluntarily, a legal route may be needed. Digital Repu does not give legal advice. We prepare the evidence and search analysis, work alongside media and privacy solicitors, and handle the search and platform side of the outcome.
Who this is for
- People and businesses facing false, seriously harmful allegations
- Clients whose voluntary requests have been refused
- Solicitors who need search and platform expertise alongside their legal work
Who it is not for
- Using legal threats to suppress true or fair comment
Routes we use
Each route is assessed before anything is filed. Strength ratings are general indications; every case turns on its facts.
Website operator complaint
Case-dependent- When it applies
- Defamatory content is posted by a user on a website that can be notified.
- What it needs
- Notice identifying the statement and why it is defamatory.
- Source
- Defamation Act 2013
Solicitor's letter to the publisher
Case-dependent- When it applies
- A publisher or author can be identified and asked to remove or correct.
- What it needs
- Evidence of falsity and serious harm.
- Source
- Defamation Act 2013
Court order and search removal
Strong route- When it applies
- A court finds content unlawful and orders removal.
- What it needs
- The order, which is then used with platforms and search engines.
- Source
- Defamation Act 2013
US context
Limited route- When it applies
- The host is in the US, where platform liability is limited.
- What it needs
- Different strategy, often focused on the author and search repair.
- Source
- 47 U.S.C. Section 230
How the work runs
- Eligibility reviewWe test each URL against the relevant law and platform policy before anything is filed.
- Evidence packWe build the submission: identity, context, dates, policy clauses and supporting documents.
- Submission and follow-upRequests are filed, tracked and chased. Refusals are appealed where grounds exist.
- FallbackWhere removal is refused or unavailable, we move the case to search repair.
Evidence you will need
- The statements complained of
- Why they are false
- Evidence of serious harm, such as lost contracts or enquiries
- Any correspondence with the publisher
What you receive
- Evidence and harm pack for your solicitor
- Search visibility analysis
- Platform and search engine filings after any order
- Repair plan in parallel
What we cannot promise
- We do not provide legal advice or conduct litigation. Legal advice comes from regulated solicitors.
- Legal action can draw attention to content. We assess that risk with you before any step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a solicitor?
For legal routes, yes. We introduce specialist solicitors and work alongside them, or with your existing firm.
What is serious harm?
Under the Defamation Act 2013, a statement is only defamatory if it has caused or is likely to cause serious harm to reputation. Businesses must show serious financial loss.
Will legal action make it worse?
It can. Publicity from a legal dispute sometimes spreads the content further. We weigh this carefully with you.
Can a court order remove content from Google?
A court order is strong evidence for Google's legal removal process and for other platforms.
How much does a legal route cost?
Legal fees are agreed directly with the solicitors. Our coordination work is priced separately and in advance.
Is my enquiry confidential?
Yes. You can make first contact without giving your name, we sign a non-disclosure agreement before you share case details, and case files are held in restricted, encrypted storage with access limited to your case team.
Prefer to start yourself?
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Tell us as much or as little as you like. We sign an NDA before you share case details, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help.