Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill

Key Points

• The bill seeks to stop misuse of litigation to silence public participation by giving courts a pathway to dismiss SLAPP claims.
• Labour amendments to Clause 2 reorder the test to prioritise public interest and clarify the conditions under which a claim can be dismissed (including making clear that public-interest matters are not limited to specific items).
• Amendments restate the criteria (i)-(iii) to clarify when behaviour by the claimant supports dismissal, and to ensure the court can determine the intended or actual effect of that behaviour.
• Conservative amendments propose alternative provisions and broader context for determining and dismissing SLAPP claims, including new clauses to place purpose at the front and to widen the test, but many were not moved at Committee stage.
• Overall, the Committee stage shows active shaping of Clause 2, with agreed Labour amendments and ongoing discussion about the balance between protecting public speech and considering public interest.

Progress

The bill is in Committee stage in the Commons. Amendments to Clause 2 proposed by Labour (Wayne David) have been agreed, emphasising public interest and clarifying the test. Conservative amendments have largely not been called, and several general/new clause amendments are still under discussion, with no final text yet.