The West Coast Environmental Law SLAPP Handbook

Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) are civil actions with little merit advanced with the intent of stifling participation in public policy and decision-making. Most SLAPPs succeed in silencing opposition because public interest groups and ordinary citizens do not have the money to fight the claim in court. A lawsuit against someone practicing civil disobedience is not a SLAPP. SLAPPs are lawsuits aimed at silencing lawful forms of public participation, such as starting a petition, or posting information on the Internet.