Court Declares Condo Owner A Vexatious Litigant

The Court of Appeal for Ontario has upheld a lower court's decision to declare a condominium unit owner a vexatious litigant. The court stated that the owner had six of the seven characteristics of a vexatious litigant, including bringing actions that had already been determined by a court of law, pursuing unsuccessful appeals, and failing to pay the costs of unsuccessful proceedings. The owner was prohibited from initiating or continuing any action against the corporation, its employees, board members, property manager and solicitors without obtaining leave from a judge. The owner was also ordered to pay the corporation costs in the amount of $109,925. The power to declare someone a vexatious litigant must be "exercised sparingly and with the greatest care," according to the court.