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Anti-SLAPP laws help prevent abuse of the legal system when an individual or organization tries to silence someone by launching an expensive lawsuit (usually defamation) against them. Such lawsuits are termed “SLAPPs” – strategic lawsuits against public participation.

Blog March 27, 2017

Component Parts of Effective Anti-SLAPP Legislation

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (“SLAPPs”) are when Big Resources (private or public sector) sue Little Resources (individuals, non-profit organizations) in order to silence them.  If the person or organization being sued (often for defamation) can’t afford to fight the case, they are effectively prevented from speaking out on the subject that got them SLAPP’ed. The case may be weak or even ludicrous, but the merits of the case don’t matter if you can’t afford to defend yourself in court.