Overview
- The proposal transposes the EU Anti‑SLAPP directive to shield journalists, activists, scientists and NGOs from abusive litigation aimed at silencing public participation.
- Courts would prioritize suspected SLAPP cases, enable early dismissal, and require plaintiffs to provide security for defendants’ legal costs.
- Judges could impose special fees on abusive filers and final judgments from higher courts would have to be published.
- Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig says SLAPPs are only sporadic in Germany and describes the measures as preventive.
- Critics argue the cross‑border limitation leaves most domestic cases unprotected and creates unresolved questions for online publications.