Freedom of speech and expression is the cornerstone of a democratic society, yet it is often weaponized by those who seek to silence critical voices, intimidate the media, and suppress public discourse. When an influential individual or corporation files a defamation lawsuit not because their reputation was genuinely harmed, but to financially and psychologically crush the defendant—be it a journalist, an activist, or a private citizen—it ceases to be a quest for justice. It becomes a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), a form of legal bullying designed to stifle speech on matters of public interest. Legal Sandbox Georgia stands as a guardian of free expression. We defend those who speak truth to power and refuse to allow the court system to be used as a tool of censorship.
Our defense strategy is vital for those who become targets of legal attacks for disseminating critical and publicly important information. This includes journalists and media organizations whose professional duty to expose corruption and critique power puts them in the crosshairs. It includes civic activists, NGOs, and public watchdogs who oppose powerful financial or political interests by fighting for human rights or environmental protection. It also extends to academics and experts whose research may conflict with corporate narratives. For all these individuals, a defamation lawsuit is a classic tactic to paralyze their work, drain their resources, and silence their voice.
Our defense strategy is built on the swift dismissal of baseless claims and the unmasking of SLAPP tactics. We begin with an immediate analysis of the claim, scrutinizing whether the challenged statement is an assertion of fact or a value judgment, the latter of which is protected under the Constitution of Georgia and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. We then construct a robust defense based on truth, the opinion privilege, and the public interest doctrine, demonstrating that the speech served a public good. We do not stop at passive defense. We proactively expose the plaintiff's true motives to the court, showing that the lawsuit's purpose is not to protect a reputation but to punish a critic and suppress public debate. Our goal is not just to win a case, but to send a clear message: free speech will be protected, and the courts will not be manipulated into instruments of censorship.