Which legal term encompasses both libel and slander?

The correct term that encompasses both libel and slander is defamation. Defamation refers to the act of making false statements about another person that can damage their reputation. This legal term includes two primary forms: libel, which is written defamation, and slander, which involves spoken statements. Understanding defamation is crucial in legal contexts, particularly for professionals in fields such as journalism, law, and healthcare, where reputational integrity is vital.

Fraud is a different legal concept involving deceit for personal gain, and while it can harm someone's reputation, it does not specifically relate to the false statements characteristic of defamation. Assault generally refers to the threat or act of causing physical harm to someone rather than any verbal or written defamation. Invasion of privacy involves violations of a person's privacy rights and does not specifically relate to damaging reputations through false statements. Thus, defamation is the most accurate term for describing both libel and slander.