Cyprus is preparing a new law to protect people and groups from unfair lawsuits. These lawsuits are often called SLAPPs. The new law follows European Union rules. It aims to stop people from using courts to scare or silence others. This law will help journalists, activists, and whistleblowers do their important work.
The law is called the "Protection of Persons Engaging in Public Participation from Manifestly Unfounded Lawsuits or Abusive Court Proceedings Law of 2025." It shows the government is serious about stopping a bad global trend. Sometimes, powerful groups start long and costly legal fights. They do this not to solve problems, but to tire out and discourage people who question them. This new law will make these bad lawsuits harder.
A main part of the law is a way to quickly dismiss lawsuits that are clearly not valid. Judges can look at claims early. They can reject claims that have no good reason. Also, the person who starts the lawsuit must now prove it is valid. Before, the person being sued had to prove it was not. This change is important to stop misusing the courts.
The law also gives judges more power to punish people who use courts unfairly. Courts can make the person who started the lawsuit pay all the defendant's legal costs. This will stop people from filing silly lawsuits. In serious cases, judges can ask for money from the plaintiff before the case starts. Defendants can also ask for money if they are wrongly sued.
This law will protect cases in Cyprus too. SLAPPs are a problem everywhere. The law will protect many different kinds of public activities. This is important so everyone who speaks about public matters is safe. Cyprus must add these EU rules by May 7, 2026. The law should help stop courts from being used as weapons. It should also lead to more open discussion.