FLS submission on vexatious litigants

Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Committee

Below is the Fitzroy Legal Service submission to the Law Reform Committee's Inquiry into Vexatious Litigants.

We believe the terms of reference raise issues around access to justice and human rights that are of great relevance to Community Legal Centres, whose significant work with community members otherwise unable to access suitable legal services provides what we believe is a crucial perspective.

In this submission we strongly argue that reforms should be focussed on improved access to representation in court and tribunal proceedings, as opposed to wide legislative reforms with the potential to marginalise and exclude unrepresented litigants from accessing justice. We further suggest a broad, multi-faceted approach across sectors is required to improve appropriate management of the concerns and expectations of community members who may currently be over engaging with the legal system.