A libel is the publication of a false and defamatory statement , in permanent form , tending to injure the reputation of another person , without lawful justification or excuse .
Where as a slander is the false and defamatory oral or verbal statement , in some transitory form , tending to injure the reputation of another person , without lawful justification or excuse .
The points of distinctions between Libel and Slander can be shown in the tabular form as follows .
| Libel |
Slander | |
| 1. | Written. Libel is addressed to the eye . It is written form of defamation. |
Spoken. On the other hand , slander is addressed to the ear . It is a spoken form of defamation . |
| 2. | Permanent. Libel is a kind of defamation which is in a permanent form , as for examples , a statue , effigy , caricature or phonographic record or the like . |
Transient. Slander is a kind of defamation which is in a transient form whether by spoken words or by significant gestures . |
| 3. | Whether actionable per se. Libel is actionable per se .Without proving special damage an action against Libel is maintainable . |
Whether actionable per se. But Slander is not actionable per se except in five cases as excepted . |
| 4. | Malice. Libel suggests the presence of malice as it requires a greaterdeliberation . |
Malice. Slander does not suggest the presence of malice as it is uttered in the heat of moment and under a sudden provocation . |
| 5. | Publisher. The actual publisher of the libel may be innocent regarding the libelous matter and he may not be liable for that . |
Publisher. On the otherhand , in case of slander , the publisher acts consciously and voluntarily , and so he may not be innocent but he is the guilty . |
| 6. | Tort / Crime. In England , Libel is both a civil wrong and a criminal offence . |
Tort/ Crime. On the other hand , in England , slander is a civil wrong only and not a crime . In India Slander is both a civil wrong and a criminal offence . |
| 7. | Limitation. Under the English Statutes of limitation , an action of libel is barred after six years . In India , the period of limitation is one year . |
Limitation. Under the English Statutes of limitation , an action of slander is barred after two years . In India , the period of limitation is one year . |
