Don Quixote de la Corte: Serial litigants, emotions, and access to justice

Abstract

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. Es muy conocido el fenómeno de los demandantes en serie. Este artículo se ocupa de dicho fenómeno en dos niveles, utilizando Israel como caso de prueba. Primero, analizamos el impacto de los demandantes en serie en el sistema judicial, y las respuestas institucionales que utiliza el sistema judicial para tratar con los demandantes en serie, así como el impacto, tanto positivo como negativo, que dichos demandantes en serie ejercen entre sí. En segundo lugar, analizamos los motivos personales de los demandantes en serie e identificamos sus denominadores comunes y sus diferencias. A ese respecto, el artículo ofrece un enfoque original, porque presenta el punto de vista de los demandantes en serie y la dimensión humana detrás de sus reclamaciones. Después, mostramos que los demandantes en serie no constituyen un grupo monolítico, y sugerimos que los tribunales deben tomar en cuenta las diferencias entre ellos. Además, proponemos la creación de herramientas sistemáticas que consideren los aspectos positivos y negativos de los demandantes en serie, para así llegar a un equilibrio entre la dotación óptima de recursos y el derecho de acceso a la justicia.

What is a “case”?

“…In this view, "litigious" individuals are quick to take offense, more likely to blame others for their problems, and to seek redress through external channels such as law. Katvan and Shnoor's (2021) article illustrates this point well. They report on the personality attributes of "serial litigants" in Israel, a small group of individuals who file numerous legal claims and go to court for every problem and complaint they have, no matter how minor.…”

More lawyers, more litigation? Exploring trends in litigation and the legal profession in Ontario, Canada

“…And in the extreme case of querulants, pathological(Katvan and Shnoor 2021).6 Even in criminal prosecution, when decisions are made supposedly by the same party (the state), research demonstrates the complexity of the factors that have an impact upon criminal litigation trends(Ostrom 2019); even humour appears to be a relevant factor (Roach-Anleu and Mack 2019). 7 However, the early 1990s saw an economic recession as well, albeit not of the magnitude of the 2008 crisis, yet litigation dropped in those years and has not increased since.8 We thank participants in the 2019 conference of the Canadian Academy of Legal Studies in Business for their discussion of these points.…”