The crime of defamation is a traditional civil offense, recognized in English law and, by extension, in the law of other countries that follow common law, including Cyprus.

The purpose of the author of the book "Defamation in Cypriot & European Law" is to present the substantive law of defamation in Cyprus, to explore and study the evolution of this law in relation to the right to freedom of speech and expression, and to examine the development of defamation law within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Additionally, the author analyzes various judicial approaches and methodologies, particularly in relation to the need to balance the right to reputation protected by the civil offense of defamation, on the one hand, with the freedom of speech and expression, on the other hand.

Cypriot defamation law, as developed in relation to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, presents particular interest for those involved in law in general, such as judges, academics, law students, and lawyers.

The civil offense of defamation has evolved into a particularly complex and significant area of law, constituting a synthesis of traditional civil law on the one hand, and modern constitutional law and human rights law on the other hand.