The Liberal Democrats will push the government to take further action on abusive litigation used to silence or intimidate people speaking out in the public interest after members voted to make anti-SLAPP legislation official party policy.

Members attending the annual conference in Brighton were asked to vote on a policy motion that urges the government to introduce comprehensive anti-SLAPP legislation covering all matters of public interest.

The legislation would: introduce a filter mechanism empowering the court to swiftly dispose of SLAPPs, extending early dismissal procedures; extend early dismissal procedures and costs protection for defendants to all SLAPP cases, not just those involving economic crime; and empower courts to impose financial penalties on those who bring abusive SLAPP claims to deter future uses and provide full compensation to those targeted.

Regulators’ powers would be strengthened so they can take ‘robust’ enforcement action against lawyers and law firms that engage in abusive SLAPP litigation. Access to legal advice and support would be strengthened for journalists, whistleblowers, campaigners and others facing SLAPP threats.

Justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller told the conference that the justice system should ‘not be a playground for the rich and powerful to silence accusers to avoid accountability’.

Cynthia Tooley said she supported the motion but issued a warning over the clause on extending costs protections for defendants to all SLAPP cases.

Tooley told the conference she is a claimant who brought proceedings against two media publications. She pointed out that she was not an oligarch and her experience of the legal system was expensive, with more than 30 hearings. She warned that costs protection for defendants could see solicitors declining to take on cases on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis as the defendant could argue their case is a SLAPP and have their costs protected.

Journalist David Worsfold said people are ‘crushed long before they get to litigation’ and said regulators must take action against ‘pre-litigation SLAPP tactics’.

Sam Al-Hamdani, a councillor, told the conference that a pensioner standing up for her community was threatened with legal action. 'Part of the threat was “If you speak to anyone about what we’re doing, we will come after you",' Al-Hamdani said.

Lib-Dem shadow attorney general Ben Maguire said the government needed to urgently introduce anti-SLAPP legislation that goes beyond economic crime.

Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion.