can this sister in law sue me?

Question

A few months ago, my sister in law was being kicked out her home by her brother- and asked me to rent my old house. I gave notice to the existing tenants, and then threw away the furniture in the place, as she wanted her own stuff in there. She didn't even stay the whole month and moved out- leaving me in the lurch and very angry. It cost a thousand pounds to replace everything and get another tenant in. I told her to get out of my life and stay out. I probably shouldn't have texted her that as I swore at her a lot, but I'm pregnant and couldn't cope with all the drama coming from her.

Yesterday she tried getting in touch with my husband again and I went mad. She obviously thinks nothing of what she did and is arrogant enough to think that she hasn't done anything wrong. So I FB her a message to basically f**k off out of our lives. She's now saying she's going to the police for slander- which I know you can't do- you have to sue someone for slander through the courts, but there are reasons for it. Can she do that? and is there anything I can do to retaliate like sue her for all the costs I have incurred? I also lost one of my twins I was carrying during all this process

Thanks for reading

Jon · Accepted Answer

A "message to basically **** off out of our lives" is not slander.

Slander or libel only arise if untrue and defamatory factual claims are made. 
Phrases such as '****off' are not defamatory, just offencive. In legal terms they are 'vulgar abuse' and as such are specifically excluded from being treated as defamation, as the law takes the.view that no sensible person would take any notice of rude ranting, and so it would not alter their opinions.

If as well as the vulgar abuse and the request to leave you alone you did say things which were lies and would cause reasonable people to think less of your sister in law then those might be defamatory, provided they were made in public (e.g. material posted on Facebook might be 'in public' but a text message is not).

Vili · Answer

She could, everything is possible, but i don't think this is any serious claim (imagine if there was a verbal  fight on the street between two, nonsense to sue somebody about it). She is stupid if she does as she has made more financial loss to You while You were helping her out. 

My advice, if You want her out of Your life ignore her, Your husband is probably brother so You can not demand him ignoring her, just don't let it get to Your nerves. More You will leave it alone, more better off You will be in the long run,

YANM · Answer

that person has not reported post. I hate liars. also she was not a blood relative so why were you daft enough to kick out paying tenants. anyway slander is speaking. libel is writing. she could try and sue for offensive language but you should either be counter suing or just suing for all you lost. think either solicitor would say you were a bit daft though. no offence intended

? · Answer

She can sue anybody she likes for anything she wants

 But she would be absolutely wasting her time cos it wouldnt even get to court
cos
  1) what you said aint slander
  2) no matter WHAT you say about her, if you only say it to her it aint slander
    For it to be slander you have to say it to loads of people

Kealen · Answer

Yes

xpatinasia · Answer

Yes, she can.  Your post is an obvious hoax, and it has been reported.

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can this sister in law sue me?

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