Document background
The Defamation Letter Before Action is a crucial preliminary document in German legal practice, typically used before initiating formal legal proceedings in cases of defamation or reputational damage. It serves as a formal warning letter (Abmahnung) under German law, combining elements from both civil and criminal legal frameworks. This document is essential when an individual or organization has been subject to false statements or communications that damage their reputation, requiring immediate action for removal, retraction, or compensation. The letter must comply with German legal requirements, including specific references to relevant sections of the German Civil Code (BGB) and Criminal Code (StGB), and typically includes detailed evidence of the defamatory statements, their impact, and specific demands for remedy. It represents a mandatory first step in many German jurisdictions before court proceedings can be initiated.
