There are many matters to sort out once a relative has died but most family members do not anticipate having to deal with an attack on their loved one’s reputation or the threat of secrets being published.

The threat of publication can be incredibly distressing for a family at a time when they are grieving. This is particularly so, when often attacks are ‘friendly fire’ coming from confidants, employees or those close to the deceased.

It is sometimes the case that the law of defamation has been holding allegations at bay and papers feel emboldened to publish these allegations once the subject has died. That is bec...