Vexatious litigant
Disputes & Litigation

These are litigants that habitually commence legal proceedings or otherwise bring unmeritorious applications to court. Vexatious litigants bring legal proceedings for the purpose of annoying the defendant and are characterised by an absence of a reasonable prospect of success.

When courts deal with such claims and applications they are bound to consider whether a civil restraint order should be made against the claimant to prevent the litigant from commencing, instituting or continuing proceedings in the future without the leave of the court. Such orders may be extended by prohibiting appeals from decisions made by the court to restrain future conduct. A current list of vexatious litigation is maintained at the Court Service website.