"UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition’s response to the King’s Speech", 7 Nov 2023

The absence of an anti-SLAPP Bill in today’s King’s Speech means that a Government bill cannot be expected in the next parliamentary session, the last before the anticipated General Election. This is a significant disappointment for members of the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition and the public watchdogs they support. 

The UK Government has acknowledged the threats to free expression caused by SLAPPs. Having consulted widely they brought forth amendments to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, creating anti-SLAPP provisions for reporting on economic crime. They also recently established a Government-led taskforce looking at non-legislative measures to address SLAPPs. We hoped that they would now go a step further and provide for a standalone anti-SLAPP law that would provide full protections for all public watchdogs, including journalists, academics, writers, activists, victims of crime and sexual violence, or anyone speaking out on matters of public interest.

Such an initiative already has strong support. In September, over 60 editors, journalists, writers, publishers, academics and experts... wrote to Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC MP to request that a standalone anti-SLAPP Bill is included in the King’s Speech. This call has been ignored, leaving free expression protections dependent on a Private Member’s Bill or the next administration after the election expected in 2024 or early 2025...

The absence of any Government bill in the King’s Speech leaves everyone vulnerable...