Vexatious litigation is a term used to describe legal action that is brought about with the intent of causing unnecessary trouble or annoyance to the other party. The spelling of this word is quite unique, with the first syllable being pronounced /ˈvɛksətəs/, the second syllable /iəs/ and the final syllable /lɪˈɡeɪʃən/. The word is often used in legal matters and is considered a serious issue as it wastes time, resources and causes emotional distress to those involved.
Vexatious litigation is a legal term that refers to the practice of filing repetitive or frivolous lawsuits with the intention of harassing or burdening the opposing party, rather than seeking legitimate legal relief. This type of litigation is characterized by its lack of merit and its tendency to cause undue stress, financial burden, and waste of resources for the targeted party.
In vexatious litigation, the primary objective is not to resolve a genuine legal dispute or seek justice, but rather to create nuisance, delay, or vexation for the opposing party. This form of abuse of the legal system is typically seen as an abuse of process and is disapproved by courts.
The term "vexatious" denotes the annoyance, trouble, or aggravation caused by such litigation. It may involve filing excessive lawsuits, repetitive appeals, or the persistence in pursuing claims that have previously been dismissed or adjudicated entirely.
Vexatious litigation not only wastes the resources of the court, but also puts an unnecessary burden on the targeted party, often resulting in financial loss, emotional distress, and hindered access to justice. To address this issue, courts may have mechanisms in place to identify and curtail such vexatious litigants, such as requiring the litigant to obtain permission before filing new cases or imposing sanctions and penalties.
Overall, vexatious litigation refers to a misapplication of the legal system for malicious or oppressive purposes, undermining the fundamental principles of fairness, justice, and the efficient administration of justice.
The word "vexatious" derives from the Latin word "vexātus", the past participle of "vexāre", which means "to annoy" or "to vex". "Litigation", on the other hand, comes from the Latin word "litigātio", which means "a dispute" or "a lawsuit". When combined, "vexatious litigation" refers to a legal action that is brought forth primarily to harass or cause annoyance to the opposing party, rather than to resolve a genuine legal dispute.