Menu
Tue, 19 March 2024

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe now
The House Live All
Communities
Economy
Home affairs
Using UK aid to help stop irregular migration Partner content
Home affairs
Home affairs
Press releases

Bar Council welcomes action on SLAPPs to curb abuse of court proceedings

Bar Council

1 min read Partner content

The Bar Council has welcomed a Ministry of Justice package of measures to address Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), in which legal action is brought to intimidate journalists, authors, and campaigners.

Earlier this year the Bar Council submitted detailed evidence to the MoJ’s call for evidence. This followed a Bar Council submission to the EU Commission in January.

Commenting, Mark Fenhalls QC, Chair of the Bar Council, said:

“Action on SLAPPs is timely and welcome to curb the abuse of court proceedings by those with the power and wealth to use the justice system to intimidate others.

“This type of case is not brought to ‘win’, but rather to wear out and deter the defendant through the sheer weight and cost of litigation.

“The introduction of a new three-part test will allow for the consideration of early dismissal, and a cost protection regime will help those who are involved in these cases.

“Tackling the myriad complex challenges posed by SLAPPs will require sensitive law and policy making, as well as considering the international nature of these cases. Today’s announcement is a positive step forward and we look forward to engaging in the detail as new legislation progresses.”

Categories

Home affairs
Associated Organisation