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Who can bring a civil action in their own legal capacity for defamation that harms their reputation?

An individual may sue for harm to personal reputation. An incorporated company may sue for statements that harm its business reputation, as illustrated by Tata Sons Ltd v.…

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Who can bring a civil action in their own legal capacity for defamation that harms their reputation?

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Correct answer D

An individual may sue for harm to personal reputation. An incorporated company may sue for statements that harm its business reputation, as illustrated by Tata Sons Ltd v. Greenpeace International. An ordinary partnership firm lacks separate legal personality, although its partners may use the firm name in proceedings under Order XXX of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Option feedback

Option A

Incorrect. While an individual can sue for defamation, an incorporated company can also sue for statements injuring its trading or business reputation.

Option B

An ordinary partnership firm has no legal personality distinct from its partners. Order XXX of the Code of Civil Procedure allows partners to sue in the firm name as a procedural matter.

Option C

Incorrect. Both a natural person (an individual) and a corporate body (a company) can maintain an action for defamation.

Option D

An individual can sue for injury to personal reputation. An incorporated company can sue over statements that injure its business reputation.

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