SLAPP suit statute

General Laws c. 231, § 59H,  popularly known as the “anti-SLAPP” law. This law allows Courts to dismiss suits characterized as SLAPP suits that the Supreme Judicial Court has stated may consist of a (1) a civil complaint or counterclaim (for monetary damages or injunction); (2) filed against nongovernmental individuals or groups; (3) because of their communications to a government body, official, or the electorate; and (4) on an issue of some public interest or concern. The acronym “SLAPP” comes from term “Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation.”