Anti-SLAPP Law in the District of Columbia

Note: This page covers information specific to The District of Columbia. For general information concerning Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), see the overview section of this guide.

The CMLP has not identified any relevant statues or cases concerning Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in the District of Columbia. If you know about an anti-SLAPP law in the District of Columbia, please contact us. You can find general information in the section on Responding to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). If you receive a SLAPP, you should immediately get legal assistance. You also may want to refer to the section on Responding to Lawsuits for more information.

If you succeed in fending off a SLAPP-type lawsuit in the District of Columbia, you may be able to bring a claim of malicious prosecution against the original plaintiff. While the District of Columbia does not explicitly recognize a "SLAPPback" claim, the elements of a malicious prosecution claim are similar. You should consult an attorney to see whether such a claim may be viable in your case.