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Australians who have been declared vexatious litigants are diverse — they include a successful South Australian winemaker, a Melbourne mass murderer and a Northern Territory "rubbish warrior". But they have one thing in common. They believe they have been wronged in some way and want a court order to say so.
There have been 99 people declared "vexatious litigants" by state-based Australian courts, including seven in South Australia, 21 in Victoria and 43 in New South Wales.
The term refers to people who repeatedly launch lawsuits without having reasonable grounds, or for an ulterior purpose.
Despite the settlement, the SA Attorney-General claimed 109 lawsuits initiated by Mr Kowalski — in seven different courts and tribunals — were vexatious, and Mr Kowalski was declared a vexatious litigant in 2014.
SA Attorney-General Vickie Chapman said vexatious litigants "not only clog up the system" but they also cost both the taxpayer and private individuals who may be subject to numerous, baseless claims.
"Access to justice in a timely manner is an important part of our civil justice system, which is why it is so important we have laws that help the courts deal with vexatious litigants in an appropriate manner," she said.