Have you ever come across someone who always seems to be in a dispute?
One year it’s a neighbour, the next it’s a colleague, then a business partner, sometimes it’s even a family member. The circumstances change, but the pattern always seems to stay the same.
These are often people who love to turn to legal action, not just as a way to resolves their problems, but also because it is their way of engaging with the world.
They are sometimes referred to as a “serial litigant”.
How to spot a serial litigant
Serial litigants often display certain patterns. They may refuse reasonable compromise or take personal offence at commercial decisions.
They may seek validation through legal action or use the process itself as a means of pressure.
Disputes that might otherwise be settled quickly can turn into prolonged stand-offs because the other side does not want resolution. They want conflict.
For certain individuals, litigation gives them a purpose, it attracts the attention they crave and it gives them the feeling of control.
Winning a case can matter more than what they’ve actually won, because the process itself becomes the prize.
We’ve met and helped clients who have found themselves on the receiving end of this behaviour.
Managing these types of cases requires careful handling of people and emotions.
The aim should always be to prevent escalation to avoid being dragged through a long, costly battle that serves little purpose.
How to de-escalate disputes
Not every disagreement belongs in a courtroom. Mediation or negotiation can help both sides move on without the strain of formal proceedings.
These routes may lack the drama of litigation, but they often deliver a more constructive and quicker outcome for the parties involved.
If you are facing someone who seems to thrive on conflict, try not to mirror that energy. Matching aggression with aggression rarely ends well.
A measured, strategic response, supported by the advice of an experienced solicitor, is often the best way to remove the fuel that keeps the dispute alive.
When is it time to walk away?
Disputes may be an inevitable part of business and life, but that doesn’t mean they need to define either.
Knowing when to engage and when to step back is a sign of good judgment.
Don’t get confused into believing that it is a sign of defeat. It’s not. It’s a skill that protects your time, energy, peace of mind and your legal position. That’s the victory.
The cost of conflict can come in many forms:
- Loss of money
- Breakdown in relationships
- Stress
- An obstacle for growth
In the end, the aim is not to avoid conflict altogether, but to handle it wisely.
Those who can stay focused on outcomes rather than emotions are the ones who come out the other side stronger and ready to move forward.
If you are facing a serial litigant or need assistance with a dispute, please get in touch.