Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:07
The course provides an advanced introduction to the legal frameworks that enable and combat strategic lawsuits against public participation or SLAPPs. There is increased awareness of the use of lawsuits and threats to intimidate, harass and silence public participation on public interest matters. The threat that SLAPPs present to human rights, democracy and the rule of law has led national and regional legislatures to introduce laws to remedy and deter SLAPPs. These are commonly termed Anti-SLAPP Laws.
Through the use of case studies, students will be introduced to the many ways in which the legal system may be used by powerful state and non-state actors to silence people speaking out on public interest concerns. Once students have a firm grasp of these abusive litigation tactic and their implications for human rights, the course proceeds to consider contemporary regulatory and legislative responses to SLAPPs in the UK, EU and from the Council of Europe. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify SLAPPs, apply and evaluate Anti-SLAPP laws and critically analyse the relationship between SLAPPs and fundamental rights.
| Study Type | Postgraduate | Level | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Second Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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The course provides an advanced introduction to the legal frameworks that enable and combat abuses of the legal system to suppress public participation on public interest matters, commonly referred to as SLAPPs or strategic lawsuits against public participation. The course traces the history of the phenomenon and explores the relationship between SLAPPs and fundamental human rights guarantees. Finally, the course surveys legal and regulatory initiatives in the European Union, the UK, and from the Council of Europe. The course comprises six topics which will include consideration of the following matters:
The lectures on the above topics will be supported by three live online sessions.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 34 | Feedback Weeks | 34 | |
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To understand and evaluate the effectiveness of legal and regulatory initiatives to combat strategic lawsuits against public participation. |
| Factual | Understand | To be able to define and identify lawsuits or legal threats which have the aim or effect of suppressing public participation on matters of public interest. |
| Procedural | Apply | To be able to identify and apply relevant anti-SLAPP provisions. |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 39 | Feedback Weeks | 42 | |
| Feedback |
The feedback will be provided in written form and in accordance with the Common Grading Scale. The feedback will be provided within three weeks as of submission, in accordance with the School’s and University’s policies. |
Word Count | 2000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To understand and evaluate the effectiveness of legal and regulatory initiatives to combat strategic lawsuits against public participation. |
| Conceptual | Understand | To understand the impact of strategic lawsuits against public participation on human rights. |
| Reflection | Understand | To communicate complex and contentious ideas effectively both in oral and written form, and to be an active listener and inclusive discussant. |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 49 | Feedback Weeks | 51 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback provided for each exam question completed by candidates. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | To be able to define and identify lawsuits or legal threats which have the aim or effect of suppressing public participation on matters of public interest. |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | To understand and evaluate the effectiveness of legal and regulatory initiatives to combat strategic lawsuits against public participation. |
| Conceptual | Understand | To understand the impact of strategic lawsuits against public participation on human rights. |
| Procedural | Apply | To be able to identify and apply relevant anti-SLAPP provisions. |
| Reflection | Understand | To communicate complex and contentious ideas effectively both in oral and written form, and to be an active listener and inclusive discussant. |
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