Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

Lord Cromwell Excerpts
Wednesday 24th July 2024

(4 months, 3 weeks ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede Portrait Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Lab)
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Regarding the noble Lord’s opening comments, I am a hereditary Peer, though not an elected one, but I am a life Peer, which is the reason I am standing here at the moment. The noble Lord is absolutely right: my right honourable friend David Lammy has expressed very strong views on this matter, which is one that the Government are taking seriously. As I tried to reassure noble Lords in my earlier answers, we want to get this right and to be trenchant in the legislation that we bring forward.

Lord Cromwell Portrait Lord Cromwell (CB)
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Does the Minister agree that any further legislation coming forward on SLAPPs should enable the judge to determine the intent of the litigant by their actions as to whether they are trying to harass the defendant? Will the legislation further make clear that no level of such harassment is acceptable?