I am in the process of writing my autobiography, which I intend to have published in book form. A section will deal with the sale of my business, which ended in a bitter dispute. Can I presume it is in order to mention all the characters with pseudonyms without infringing the law?
You should be very careful if the people concerned are still alive. If they have died the law regards them as being beyond damage. If they are still alive, changing names will not prevent what you write damaging the individuals’ reputations if other people are still able to recognise who you are referring to. Of course you will have a defence to a libel action if you can prove what you say is true. You should take expert advice from a solicitor specialising in defamation law.