Page "Vexatious litigation" Paragraph 2

Some jurisdictions have a list of vexatious litigants: people who have repeatedly abused the legal system.

Because lawyers could be disbarred for participating in the abuse, vexatious litigants are often unable to retain legal counsel, and such litigants therefore represent themselves in court.

Those on the list are usually either forbidden from any further legal action or are required to obtain prior permission from a senior judge before taking any legal action.

The process by which a person is added to the list varies among jurisdictions.

In liberal democratic jurisdictions, declaring someone a vexatious litigant is considered to be a serious measure and rarely occurs, as judges and officials are reluctant to curtail a person's access to the courts.