How can i take legal action......................?

against my next door neighbour for claims of racial harrassment
My next door neighbour has accused me of racially harrassing her.I live on a council Estate as a tenant.I took out a complaint against her for anti-social behaviour because her children were fouling the balcony and using abusive language to all passers by etc, she had also called me a b**** infront of her children.
In a meeting in which the Council, myself and my neighbour were present she mentioned that my behaviour was racist,the Council Officer addressed this claim and she merely nodded her head.I was expecting to hear exactly what her concerns were and why she thought i was a racist.
I have now been called for another meeting with the Councils "Anti-Social Behaviour Unit".My biggest concern is that i work for a Local Authority and allegations like this will cost me my job simply for the fact that they have been made.Can i take legal action against my neighbour?and how would i go about doing it ?

Thank you

It is possible your neighbour is probably going to pull the racist card on you as a means of trying to discredit you, in your attempts to prover her behaviour is anti social.

You need to get proof of her behaviour such as independent witnesses and show your not going to be pushed into a corner. Covertly video her kids and her, especially if there is any confrontations with her any your or any other residents in order to prove your allegations.

She will have been told to do the same I should add so if there is a confrontation dont start it, and watch what you say.

Taking legal action against your neighbour is going to get very expensive and wont be legally aided for matters such as slander normally, although if your employment is threatened as a result of any action she pursues against you your may be entitled to some financial assistance.

Take as much proof with you diary of events, witnesses and video evidence about this and avoid confrontation in the meantime.

Matters like this are very hard to prove and frequently result in tit for tat allegation by the other party. Its also possible the request to attend the unit is to discuss the option of mediation between the parties concerned to try and resolve any disputes.

you can speak to citazens advice or you can go to see a solicitor most will give you half hour free advice? but i would go to citazens advice to see what they say first. they may contact the soilcitor for you for free?

Sounds as if you need a solicitor if your employment is in jeopardy. Don't sign anything at the meeting without a solicitor reading it first. Good luck.

if i were you id go and speake to citezens advice they will be able to help tou more they have ways of findin things out like this...hope this helps you.....and sounds like you neighbours a nightmare

call a solicitor??

Statements which are made against a person can cause serious and profound effects. The problem is that anyone can male allegations against someone. Even if they are not true the injured party then has the problem of seeking to remedy the situation.

Although it is obvious you have been damaged by such claims (although not in a financial capacity) I do not know if any legal remedy exists. Let me explain:

You could sue for defamation if the words are what is known as "actionable". Is claiming someone a "racist" a slanderous comment? I think it would depend on the circumstances. To sue for defamation of character can be a tedious and laborious matter and an extremely expensive one.

I live in a house and the next doors son is a brat. However, if I were to speak to his father and refer to his son as a "brat" is there anything he could do legally. I don't think there is. He could take action by punching me but legally he would have no grounds although such comments would understandly offend him!

Sometimes actions are taken and things done which fall in the grey area of the law and no action lies.

If comments are made which do eventually cause you to lose your job and therefore financial loss then you could sue under the tort of "injurious falsehood" (also known as "malicious falsehood") as disparagement in any trade, calling or profession is actionable "per se" - this is without proof of loss. Although if you can prove loss it is so much better!

I hope this helps!