Anti-SLAPP statute

California statute
In 1992, in response to the "disturbing increase" in meritless lawsuits brought "to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and petition for the redress of grievances," the Legislature enacted Code of Civil Procedure §425.16, the California anti-SLAPP statute. In 1997, the Legislature unanimously amended the statute to expressly state that it "shall be construed broadly." section 425.16(a) provides:


 * The Legislature finds and declares that there has been a disturbing increase in lawsuits brought primarily to chill the valid exercise of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to encourage continued participation in matters of public significance, and this participation shouls not be chilled through abuse of the judicial process. To this end, this section shall be construed broadly.

In 1999, the California Supreme Court directing that courts, "whenever possible, should interpret the First Amendment and section 425.16 in a manner 'favorable to the exercise of freedom of speech, not to itscurtailment.'"