SLAPP

A SLAPP, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, is a suit filed to intimidate, silence or financially exhaust a critic instead of winning on the merits.

SLAPPs often backfire. The suit draws attention to the speech it targets, and the filer can face scrutiny of its litigation tactics. Many U.S. states have anti-SLAPP statutes that let a defendant seek early dismissal, so where a suit is filed is a communications question as well as a legal one.

EPR covers how SLAPPs and defamation suits shape reputation in its litigation PR guide.

Where it's used

Litigation PR: Best Firms, Costs and Rules

Related terms

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