(a) If a legal action is filed in response to a party’s exercise of the right of free speech, right to petition, or right of association, that party may petition the court to dismiss the legal action.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 20-17-104

  • Discovery: Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
  • Exercise of the right of free speech: means a communication made in connection with a matter of public concern or religious expression that falls within the protection of the . See Tennessee Code 20-17-103
  • Legal action: means a claim, cause of action, petition, cross-claim, or counterclaim or any request for legal or equitable relief initiated against a private party. See Tennessee Code 20-17-103
(b) Such a petition may be filed within sixty (60) calendar days from the date of service of the legal action or, in the court’s discretion, at any later time that the court deems proper.
(c) A response to the petition, including any opposing affidavits, may be served and filed by the opposing party no less than five (5) days before the hearing or, in the court’s discretion, at any earlier time that the court deems proper.
(d) All discovery in the legal action is stayed upon the filing of a petition under this section. The stay of discovery remains in effect until the entry of an order ruling on the petition. The court may allow specified and limited discovery relevant to the petition upon a showing of good cause.
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