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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rowena Mason Whitehall editor

HISTORICAL FACTS: Ministers to back crackdown on oppressive slapp lawsuits | History Defined

The Royal Courts of Justice in London
The Royal Courts of Justice. The bill would allow judges to dismiss spurious claims before trial and protect defendants from exorbitant costs. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

Ministers are to support a crackdown on spurious lawsuits aimed at intimidating journalists, academics and campaigners, known as strategic litigation against public participation, or Slapps.

Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, said on Friday that the government would support a private member’s bill brought by the Labour backbencher Wayne David aimed at reducing the use of Slapps in the British courts.

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