Don Quixote de la Corte
Serial litigants, emotions, and access to justice
##plugins.pubIds.doi.readerDisplayName##:
https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1117Gako-hitzak:
Courts, serial litigants, access to justiceLaburpena
Serial litigants are a well-known phenomenon. This article deals with this phenomenon on two different levels using Israel as a test-case. First, we analyze the impact they have on the judicial system as a whole, and the institutional responses the judicial system uses in order to deal with serial litigants as well as the impact (both positive and negative) such serial litigants have on other litigants. Second, we analyze the personal motives of serial litigants and identify their common denominators, as well as what differentiates them. In this regard the article offers a unique approach by presenting the perspective of serial litigants and the human dimension behind their claims. We then show that serial litigants do not constitute a monolithic group, and suggest that courts have to take the differences between them into account. We further propose the formulation of systemic tools that take into account both the negative and the positive aspects of serial litigants in order to strike a proper balance between the optimal allocation of resources, and the right of access to justice.
##plugins.generic.usageStats.downloads##
Metrics
Downloads:
PDF (English) 523
XML (English) 125
Erreferentziak
Abel, R., 1973. A Comparative Theory of Dispute Institutions in Society. Law & Society Review [online], 8(2), pp. 217–347. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2307/3053029 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3053029
Addad, A., 2013. Shimush Lera`a Behalikhei Beit Mishpat: Haganah Diyunit Mipnei Nitzul Lera`a shel Zkhut Hagisha Le`arka`ot [Abuse of Legal Process: Procedural Protection From Abuse of the Right of Access to the Courts]. Tel-Aviv: Bursi.
Al Hamishmar, 1954. Claims to have been locked up in a mental institution after discovering embezzlement. Al Hamishmar, 9 February, p. 7.
Al Hamishmar, 1969. Strike for the revoke of drivers` license. Al Hamishmar, 26 September, p. 12.
Albarracin, D., 2015. Narcissism and Object Relations in Hypochondria. Psychoanalytic Review [online], 102(4), p. 483. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1521/prev.2015.102.4.483 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/prev.2015.102.4.483
American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [online]. Arlington: American Psychiatric Association. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Barak, A., 2013. The right to access the court. In: A. Grunis, E. Rivlin and M. Karyiani, eds., Shlomo Levin Book. Jerusalem: Harry Sacher Institute, p. 31.
Bar-Am, M., 2007. Frivolous civil litigation. Alei Mishpat, 6, pp. 135–210.
Battlehaim, A., 1979. Harsh words cost the defendant dearly. Maariv, 30 March, p. 6.
Ben-Ito, H., 1969. Private Complaint, Hapraklit, 25(3), p. 521.
Ben Noon, C., Shnoor, B., and Katvan, E., 2015. Judges’ Perception of Lawyers’ Behavior in Court. HaMishpat, 20, pp. 11–49.
Blee, K.M., and Billings, D.B., 1996. Violence and Local State Formation: A Longitudinal Case Study of Appalachian Feuding. Law & Society Review [online], 30(4), pp. 671–706. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2307/3054114 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3054114
Bogoch, R., Halperin-Kaddari, R., and Katvan, E., 2011. Family Law in the Age of Computerized Databases: The Impact of Legal Databases on the Practice of Family Law in Israel. Iyuney Mishpat, 34, p. 603.
Bryant, D., 2019. Access to justice: How much is too much? The legal and medical issues arising from vexatious or querulous people. Clayton: Monash University.
Colby, C., 2000. There’s a new Sheriff in town: The Texas vexatious litigants statute and its application to frivolous and harassing litigation. Texas Tech Law Review, 31, p. 1291.
Davar, 1955. Indicted for slandering a district judge. Davar, 23 May, p. 4.
Davar, 1971. Yediot Ahronot editors acquitted from defamation charges. Davar, 23 April, p. 8.
Diesen, C., 2008. The justice obsession syndrome. Thomas Jefferson Law Review, 30, p. 487.
Elizur, A., et al., 1999. Prakim Nivkharim Bepsychiatria [Selected chapters in psychiatry]. Tel-Aviv: Dionon.
Freckelton, I., 1988. Querulent paranoia and the vexatious complainant, International Journal of Law and Psychiatry [online], 11(2), pp. 127–143. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-2527(88)90026-X [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-2527(88)90026-X
Gerevich, J., and Ungvari, G.S., 2015. The Description of the Litigious Querulant: Heinrich von Kleist’s Novella “Michael Kohlhaas”. Psychopathology [online], 48, pp. 79–83. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1159/000366562 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000366562
Geva, Y., 1954. My client is not a dog. Mawariv, 23 February, p. 2.
Glazer, H., 2018. Ha`asir Shitril et Shaba"s Bemeshekh 20 Shana [The prisoner who trolled the prison service for 20 years]. Haaretz [online], 31 January. Available from: https://www.haaretz.co.il/magazine/.premium-MAGAZINE-1.5783193 [Accessed 10 January 2020].
Gueta, Y., 2014. Haraf Ha`elion Shel Grunis: Le`ayem Bepnia LaUm Vehashva`at Hamedina LeHamas [Grunis’ upper limit: threatening to apply to the UN and comparing Israel to Hamas]. The Marker [online], 20 August. Available from: https://www.themarker.com/law/1.2410282 [Accessed 10 January 2020].
Hatzofeh, 1968. Imprisonment for hate letters on judges. Hatzofeh, 18 October, p. 7.
Heller J., 1961. Catch 22. New York: Dell.
Herut, 1952. Minister of justice canceled a complaint against police officer who locked up a person in a mental institution. Herut, 5 October, p. 4.
Herut, 1954. I was imprisoned in a mental institution so I won’t disclose details of embezzlement. Herut, 9 February, p. 8.
Herut, 1955. Sentenced for slandering a district judge. Herut, 22 June, p. 4.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service of England and Wales, 2019a. General civil restraint orders in force [online]. Originally published in 2014. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-civil-restraint-orders-in-force [Accessed 12 June 2019]
HM Courts and Tribunals Service of England and Wales, 2019b. Vexatious litigants [online]. Originally published in 2014. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/vexatious-litigants [Accessed 12 June 2019].
Katvan, E., 2013. The “Overcrowding the Profession” Argument and the Professional Melting Pot International Journal of the Legal Profession [online], 19(2–3), 301. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2013.772521 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2013.772521
Katvan, E., and Shnoor, B., 2010. Between Civility and Reputation, Following C.A. 1104/07 Kheir v Gil. Hamishpat, 15, 71–110.
Katvan, E., and Shnoor, B., 2017. Informed Consent to Legal Treatment – Lessons from Medical Informed Consent. The International Journal of the Legal Profession [online], 24(2), pp. 125–144. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2017.1280041 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2017.1280041
Katvan, E., and Shnoor, B., 2018. A Perfect Façade?: Transparency, Honor and Judicial Scarce Resources. International Journal of the Legal Profession [online], 26(1), pp. 143–158. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2018.1490295 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09695958.2018.1490295
Katvan, E., and Shnoor, B., 2020. Sharui Oved Berogez: Kavod, Ka`as Umina`ad Rigshot Ha`ovdim Bamishpat Halo Formali Betkufat Hamandat [Workers’ Honor, Anger and Emotions in Mandate Palestine Informal Courts]. Law, Society and Cloture (Special Issue on Emotions, Tel-Aviv University).
Katvan, E., et al., 2017. Age limitation for organ transplantation: the Israeli example. Age and Ageing [online], 46(1), pp. 8–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw162 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afw162
LaMerhav, 1963. A motion for injunction against the DMV was denied. LaMerhav, 12 May, p. 6.
Lester, G., and Smith, S., 2006. Inventor, Entrepreneur, Rascal, Crank or Querulent?: Australia's Vexatious Litigant Sanction 75 Years On. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law [online], 13(1), pp. 1–27. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1375/pplt.13.1.1 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1375/pplt.13.1.1
Lévy, A., 1997. Rodfei Mishpat: Hahagshama Hasimlit: Mishpatim Beparanoia [Trial seekers – Symbolic realization: Trials in paranoia]. Jerusalem: Keter.
Lévy, B.T., et al., 2017. From Querulous to Suicidal: Self-immolation in Public Places as a Symbolic Response to the Feeling of Injustice. Frontiers in Psychology [online], 8, p. 1901. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01901 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01901
Maariv, 1968. After complaining about traffic police officers, his licence was revoked and he was summoned for mental examination. Maariv, 26 June, p. 11.
Merry, S.E., 1990. Getting Justice and Getting Even: Legal Consciousness Among Working-Class Americans. University of Chicago Press.
Mullen, P.E., and Lester, G., 2006. Vexatious Litigants and Unusually Persistent Complainants and Petitioners, Querulous Paranoia to Querulous Behaviour. Behavioral Sciences and the Law [online], 24(3), p. 333. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.671 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.671
Noyes, R. Jr., et al., 2010. Hypochondriacal symptoms associated with a less therapeutic physician-patient relationship. Psychiatry [online], 73(1), pp. 57–69. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.2010.73.1.57 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.2010.73.1.57
Paz, U.I., 2014. Sanctzia Takdimit: Fronis Horah Kemazkirut Beit-Hamishpat Lo Lekabel Bakashot Me`oter Sidrati [Precedential sanction: Grunis ordered the court secretariat no to accept motions from a serial litigant]. Takdin, 21 August.
Rabeea, A., 2015. Injustice in Person: The Right to Self-Representation. Oxford University Press.
Rabin, Y., 1998. Gisha Le`arka`ot Kezhut Hukatit [Access to justice as a constitutional right]. Tel-Aviv: Bursi.
Ramachandra, N., 2013. Hypochondria–Historical Perspectives, Diagnosis and Management. Asian Journal of Nursing Education and Research [online], 3(4), pp. 219–223. Available from: http://ajner.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2013-3-4-5 [Accessed 10 January 2020].
Ratner, D., 2002. To go all the way. Haaretz, 21 August.
Reinert, A.A., 2014. Screening Out Innovation: The Merits of Meritless Litigation. Indiana Law Journal [online], 89(3), p. 1191. Available from: https://www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol89/iss3/4/ [Accessed 10 January 2020].
Rowlands, M.W.D., 1988. Psychiatric and Legal Aspects of Persistent Litigation. The British Journal of Psychiatry [online], 153(3), p. 317. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.153.3.317 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.153.3.317
Shammay, B., 2018. The supreme court sitting as the court of de minimis. Globes, 30 May.
Taggart, M., 2004. Alexander Chaffers, and the Genesis of the Vexatious Actions Act 1896. The Cambridge Law Journal [online], 63(3), p. 656. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008197304006713 [Accessed 10 January 2020]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008197304006713
Victorian Parliament Law Reform Committee, 2008. Inquiry into Vexatious Litigants. Parliamentary Paper No. 162, Session 2006–2008.
Waitzkin, B.H., and Waterman, B., 1974. The Exploitation of Illness in Capitalist Society. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill.
Whalen-Bridge, H., 2019. Surviving Litigation: Talking Law with a Litigant in Person. Paper presented at the “Too much litigation?” workshop. Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law, 27–28 June.
Zmanim, 1955. Slandering the judge. Zmanim, 23 May, p. 4.
##submission.downloads##
Argitaratuta
##submission.howToCite##
Zenbakia
Atala
##submission.license##
##submission.copyrightStatement##
##submission.license.cc.by-nc-nd4.footer##OSLS strictly respects intellectual property rights and it is our policy that the author retains copyright, and articles are made available under a Creative Commons licence. The Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution No-Derivatives licence is our default licence, further details available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 If this is not acceptable to you, please contact us.
The non-exclusive permission you grant to us includes the rights to disseminate the bibliographic details of the article, including the abstract supplied by you, and to authorise others, including bibliographic databases, indexing and contents alerting services, to copy and communicate these details.
For information on how to share and store your own article at each stage of production from submission to final publication, please read our Self-Archiving and Sharing policy.
The Copyright Notice showing the author and co-authors, and the Creative Commons license will be displayed on the article, and you must agree to this as part of the submission process. Please ensure that all co-authors are properly attributed and that they understand and accept these terms.
