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Legal Information: Vermont

Litigation Abuse

What is the definition of abusive litigation in Vermont?

“Abusive litigation” means a legal action taken in court or related to a court case that is intended to abuse, harass, intimidate, or threaten you, or keep ongoing contact with you.1 It is often carried out by an abusive partner who is trying to keep power and control over a victim who has left the relationship or is in the process of trying to leave. Abusive litigation can be any kind of legal action, including:

  • filing or serving a summons, complaint, or petition;
  • filing or serving a motion, notice of court date, or order to appear; or
  • filing or serving a subpoena, subpoena duces tecum, request for interrogatories, notice of deposition, or another discovery request.2 

If you are facing abusive litigation, you may be able to ask the judge to issue an order restricting abusive litigation.

1 VT ST 15 § 1181(1)(C)
2 VT ST 15 § 1181(3)

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