What can a judge include in an order restricting abusive litigation?
A judge who finds that litigation is abusive may dismiss, deny, strike, or otherwise resolve any motions or other legal actions “with prejudice,” which means that they cannot be re-filed.1 In an order restricting abusive litigation, the judge may include any conditions that are necessary and appropriate, including:
- awarding you reasonable attorney’s fees and the costs of responding to the abusive litigation;
- awarding you all the costs of the abusive litigation, including but not limited to:
- court costs;
- lost wages;
- transportation costs; and
- childcare costs; and
- putting pre-filing restrictions on the abuser to prevent him/her from filing any future cases against you or your children without court permission.2
1 RI Gen. Laws § 8-8.4-4(a)
2 RI Gen. Laws § 8-8.4-4(b)