The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 15 : Domestic Relations
Chapter 021 : Abuse Prevention
Subchapter 005 : ABUSIVE LITIGATION
(Cite as: 15 V.S.A. § 1182)-
§ 1182. Order restricting abusive litigation
(a) A party who meets the requirements of subdivision 1181(1) of this title may request an order restricting abusive litigation:
(1) in any answer or response to the litigation being filed, initiated, advanced, or continued;
(2) by motion made at any time during any open or ongoing case;
(3) in an answer or response to any motion or request for an order; or
(4) orally in any hearing.
(b) Any court of competent jurisdiction may, on its own motion or on motion of a party, determine that a hearing is necessary to determine if a party is engaging in abusive litigation.
(c) Proceedings pursuant to this subchapter may be initiated by petition instituting a new case or by motion in a pending case.
(d) The Court Administrator shall create forms for a petition or motion for an order restricting abusive litigation and an order restricting abusive litigation, and the forms shall be maintained by the clerks of the courts.
(e) No filing fee shall be charged to the unrestricted party for proceedings pursuant to this subchapter, regardless of whether it is filed pursuant to this subchapter.
(f) The provisions of this subchapter are nonexclusive and shall not affect any other remedy available. (Added 2023, No. 48, § 1, eff. September 1, 2023.)
