Caroline Kean of Wiggin is holding the torch for those who face strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) lawsuits. In March last year, Kean secured a win for the journalist and author of Kleptopia: How Dirty Money is Conquering the World, as he faced a libel claim brought by mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC). Knowing that she would be descending onto the court steps with a victorious Tom Burgis was one of Kean’s most exciting career moments in years.
A strong advocate for freedom of expression, Kean decided in the mid-90s she was no longer comfortable being a claimant lawyer in defamation cases against those who are an organ for free speech. Since then, she has acted on a number of highly-publicised libel disputes, including for Putin’s People author Catherine Belton. Kean has also previously represented parties on a pro bono basis in this field.
When Justice Secretary Dominic Raab announced proposals to tackle SLAPPs in June last year, Kean and the UK Anti-SLAPP Coalition took him at his word. Published in November, the model anti-SLAPP law drafted by the coalition has the potential to provide meaningful protection against what can quickly unravel into David versus Goliath cases.