Court powers to restrict vexatious litigants
Supreme Court (Vexatious Litigants) Amendment Bill 2026
1st House
2nd House
Law
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The court can stop a person from starting new legal cases without permission if they frequently file vexatious proceedings.
The court can stop a person from contacting court or tribunal staff.
The court can order a vexatious litigant to pay security for costs.
The court can issue interim orders to freeze existing cases while a vexatious litigant application is decided.
The court can issue intervention orders to protect people from abuse during these proceedings.
People under a vexatious litigant order must apply for permission to start new cases.
The registrar must publish a public website listing all vexatious litigant orders.
Existing orders made under the old section 39 of the Supreme Court Act 1935 stay in force.