TOI,

TAIS

-TOI -

-

DE

CE

QU

I N

’ ES

T P

AS

DI T

QU

AN

D I

L V

A

SA

NS

DI R

E

RODERICK A MACDONALDF.R. SCOTT PROFESSOR OF

CONSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC LAW

MCGILL UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF LAW

JANUARY 24, 2012

TOI, TAIS-TOI - -

1. Introduction

2. The definition and pattern of SLAPPs

3. The problems to which anti-SLAPP legislation is addressed

4. Mechanisms for modulating SLAPPs

5. The National Assembly’s strategic choices

6. Conclusion: analysis of the strategic choices

INTR

ODUCTION

Litig

atio

n is th

e co

ntinuat

ion o

f war

by ot

her m

eans

2. The rules of procedure in this Code are intended to render effective the substantive law and to ensure that it is carried out;

The provisions of this Code must be interpreted … so far as possible, in such a way as to facilitate rather than to delay or to end prematurely the normal advancement of cases.

4.1. … the parties … must refrain from acting with the intent of causing prejudice to another person or behaving in an excessive or unreasonable manner, contrary to the requirements of good faith.

4.2. …the parties must ensure that the proceedings they choose are proportionate… to the nature and ultimate purpose of the action or application…

FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES OF THE C.C.P.

INTRODUCTIONLitigation is the continuation of war by other

means

DEFINIT

ION A

ND PATT

ERN OF

SLAPP

S Strategic Lawsuits

Against Public Participation

DEFINIT

ION A

ND PATT

ERN OF

SLAPP

S

I MP

RO

PE

R P

UR

PO

SE

, DI S

PR

OP

OR

TI O

NA

TE

PR

EJ U

DI C

E,

RE

SO

UR

CE

I NE

QU

I TY

& P

RO

CE

DU

RA

L M

AN

I PU

LA

TI O

N

DEFINIT

ION A

ND PATT

ERN OF

SLAPP

S

I MP

RO

PE

R P

UR

PO

SE

, DI S

PR

OP

OR

TI O

NA

TE

PR

EJ U

DI C

E,

RE

SO

UR

CE

I NE

QU

I TY

& P

RO

CE

DU

RA

L M

AN

I PU

LA

TI O

N

SLAPP

Corporation

Citizen (or

Citizen Group)

Defamation

Abusive Proced

ure

THE P

ROBLEMS O

F

SLAPP

S

AK

A T

HE

J US

TI F

I CA

TI O

NS

FO

R A

NT

I - SL

AP

P L

EG

I SL

AT

I ON

1.

2.

3.

4.

THE P

ROBLEMS O

F

SLAPP

S

AK

A T

HE

J US

TI F

I CA

TI O

NS

FO

R A

NT

I - SL

AP

P L

EG

I SL

AT

I ON

1. Institutions

2.

3.

4.

THE P

ROBLEMS O

F

SLAPP

S

AK

A T

HE

J US

TI F

I CA

TI O

NS

FO

R A

NT

I - SL

AP

P L

EG

I SL

AT

I ON

1. Institutions

2. Rights

3.

4.

THE P

ROBLEMS O

F

SLAPP

S

AK

A T

HE

J US

TI F

I CA

TI O

NS

FO

R A

NT

I - SL

AP

P L

EG

I SL

AT

I ON

1. Institutions

2. Rights

3. Participation

4.

THE P

ROBLEMS O

F

SLAPP

S

AK

A T

HE

J US

TI F

I CA

TI O

NS

FO

R A

NT

I - SL

AP

P L

EG

I SL

AT

I ON

1. Institutions

2. Rights

3. Participation

4. Rule of Law

MECHANISMS FOR MODULATING SLAPPS

STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM

FUNDING

PROACTIVE

INTERVENTION

MECHANISMS FOR MODULATING SLAPPSSTRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM

Priorities

SLAPP-

back

Gate-keepe

r

Costs

Speedy

process

Early detection

MECHANISMS FOR MODULATING SLAPPSSTRATEGIES FOR PREVENTING ABUSE OF THE SYSTEM

STRATEGIES

Non-Financial

Preventative

Financial Preventativ

e

Financial Remedial

Non-Financial Remedial

THE N

ATIO

NAL

ASSEMBLY’S

STR

ATEGIC

CHOICES

TH

E C

OD

E O

F CI V

I L P

RO

CE

DU

RE

THE N

ATIO

NAL

ASSEMBLY’S

STR

ATEGIC

CHOICES

TH

E C

OD

E O

F CI V

I L P

RO

CE

DU

RE

Freedom of Expression

Prevent Improper Use

Promote Access to Justice

THE N

ATIO

NAL

ASSEMBLY’S

STR

ATEGIC

CHOICES

TH

E C

OD

E O

F CI V

I L P

RO

CE

DU

RE 54.

154.2

54.3

54.4

54.5

54.6

CONCLUSIO

N

AN

ALY

SI S

OF T

HE

ST

RA

TE

GI C

CH

OI C

ES

CONCLUSIO

N

AN

ALY

SI S

OF T

HE

ST

RA

TE

GI C

CH

OI C

ES

1

2

3

45