Defined. SLAPP is an acronym for "Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation" and refers to lawsuits that are filed for the primary purpose of intimidation. Such lawsuits lack merit and are often designed to silence opposition or seek damages related to free speech issues. To deter this type of litigation, California passed an "anti-SLAPP" statute in 1992 (Code Civ. Proc. §425.16) to protect citizens' exercise of free speech and petition.

Anti-SLAPP Motions. Anti-SLAPP motions have been used successfully in Damon v. Ocean Hills to defeat a defamation claim against the association by its former manager, in Ruiz v. Harbor View to dismiss a claim by an owner against the association's attorney for writing a letter admonishing the owner, and in Healy v. Tuscany Hills to dismiss a claim related to a letter to the membership reporting litigation involving a member.