Written questions

Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation

Commons · Question 106257 · Tabled 15 Jan 2026 · Ministry of Justice · Official record

Answered 23 Jan 2026

Question

Asked by Freddie van Mierlo

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the level of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation and (b) the potential impact of those lawsuits on public-interest advocacy and journalism.

Answer

Answered by Sarah Sackman, 23 Jan 2026

Due to the covert nature of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) cases, with many threats occurring before cases reach the courts, it is difficult to know precise figures. On the available qualitative evidence we recognise that such ...