Croatia continued efforts to counter Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) through legislative reform, judicial training and awareness-raising activities. A draft Law on the Protection of Persons Engaged in Public Participation was prepared by a multi-stakeholder working group and is expected to transpose the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive while extending protection to domestic cases.

At the same time, the Judicial Academy organised specialised workshops for judges and court advisers in Zagreb, Split and Osijek focusing on the identification and handling of SLAPP cases. Awareness-raising activities also continued through the work of the National Coordination Committee’s anti-SLAPP working group, including the dissemination of educational materials and discussions with journalists, legal professionals, civil society organisations and public authorities on available safeguards and relevant European standards.

Monitoring conducted by the Ministry of Justice indicates a continued decrease in potential SLAPP cases, from 39 in 2023 to 25 in 2024 and 20 in 2025. This trend is viewed as a positive indicator of growing awareness and improved institutional responses to abusive litigation targeting public participation and journalism.

More details: Educational brochure for early recognition and dismissal of SLAPP lawsuits