Legal harassment

Background

Legal harassment emerged as a recognized global concern in the late 20th century, as individuals and organizations increasingly reported the misuse of legal systems to intimidate, exhaust, or silence adversaries. High-profile cases, such as the proliferation of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) in the 1980s, drew international attention to the phenomenon. Subsequent legal reforms and advocacy efforts have highlighted the widespread impact of such practices across diverse jurisdictions and sectors.