NP Exclusive: Johnson Development SLAPP-suit Update (Dateline Houston)

Johnson Development SLAPP-suit Update (Dateline Houston)

In what is becoming an increasing problem in consumer law, a judge ruled Tuesday, in a Fort Bend County court, to award lawyers fees to a large mega-development firm before trial has even begun.

According to the targets (defendants) in this SLAPP-suit the court made the ruling because of a codicil in the homeowners contract that specified they must pay all legal expenses if they sue for any reason. This doesn't seem to take into account that the mega-development company, from Houston, actually initiated the legal actions against the homeowner after the target became involved in a land-use dispute and petition drive in their community.

This case is already in its second year and has depleted most of the homeowners savings. These cases are increasing in frequency as builders and developers use these codicils to protect themselves from litigation, but is it legal to restrict someone's right to seek justice?

Stay tuned as we will keep this story updated at regular intervals. . .(click title link for more background on this case).