The Council of the European Union has published a corrigendum to the EU's Directive on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), making technical corrections to the Dutch language version of the text. The corrigendum, dated 1 May 2026, amends Directive (EU) 2024/1069, which aims to protect journalists, activists, and other public participants from abusive lawsuits designed to silence them. The corrections specifically address provisions on cost coverage for defendants and rules for cross-border cases, ensuring consistency in the Dutch version.
Background and Policy Context
The SLAPP Directive was adopted in 2024 as part of the EU's broader efforts to safeguard fundamental rights and the rule of law. It establishes common safeguards against manifestly unfounded or abusive court proceedings that target public participation, such as reporting on matters of public interest or engaging in advocacy. The directive requires member states to implement measures including early dismissal of abusive claims, cost shifting to the claimant, and penalties for abusive litigation.
Technical Corrections and Impact
The corrigendum addresses discrepancies in the Dutch language version, which could have led to legal uncertainty for Dutch-speaking stakeholders. The corrections clarify the scope of cost coverage for defendants, ensuring that successful defendants can recover full legal costs, and refine the criteria for determining cross-border cases, which affect the application of the directive's protections. These changes do not alter the substance of the directive but ensure uniform interpretation across all official EU languages.
Stakeholder Impact
The corrigendum primarily affects legal practitioners, defendants in SLAPP cases, and national authorities in Dutch-speaking jurisdictions (Belgium and the Netherlands). For journalists and activists, the corrected text reinforces protections against financial burdens from abusive lawsuits. For potential claimants, the clarifications may reduce ambiguity about cost risks in cross-border cases. The impact is limited to technical precision, with no new obligations or rights introduced.
Next Steps
The corrigendum enters into force upon publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states are required to transpose the SLAPP Directive into national law by 2026. The European Commission will monitor implementation and may issue guidance on cross-border application.