Vexation

Vexation is not a standalone legal claim or offence in BC. The related legal concept is vexatious litigation: proceedings brought without reasonable grounds, mainly to harass or burden another party. Courts can strike such proceedings as an abuse of process and can declare a person who repeatedly brings them a vexatious litigant.

How BC law treats it

Pleadings that are frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process can be struck under Rule 9-5 of the Supreme Court Civil Rules, and section 18 of the Supreme Court Act, RSBC 1996, c 443 allows the court to restrict a vexatious litigant from bringing proceedings without leave. Workplace bullying and harassment are addressed separately under the Workers Compensation Act and the Human Rights Code.

What it means for your business

If your business faces repeated baseless proceedings, the court may be able to strike them and award costs.

Risks and common mistakes

Responding to harassing litigation without promptly seeking to strike it can let costs build up unnecessarily.

For the full explanation, see our entry on Vexatious litigant.

General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.