Case information

Charter – Civil procedure – Vexatious proceedings – Whether Superior Court erred in dismissing actions because frivolous or vexatious – Whether Superior Court erred in declaring applicant vexatious litigant – Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg 194, R. 2.1.01 – Courts of Justice Act, R.S.O. 1990, c C.43, s. 140.

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Mr. Van Sluytman, applicant, is not represented. He instituted many proceedings in which he complained about his interactions, over many years, with various government agencies, law enforcement officials and mental health care and medical personnel in various parts of Ontario. The damages sought in many of the actions ranged in quantum from $5 to $15 million. The claims were dismissed by the Superior Court pursuant to R. 2.1.01 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, R.R.O. 1990, Reg 194, which allows the court to stay or dismiss a proceeding which it finds on its face to be frivolous or vexatious or an abuse of the court’s process. Essentially, the court found that Mr. Sluytman’s actions were nothing more than a vexatious list of complaints without substance or coherence. Mr. Van Sluytman was also declared a vexatious litigant by the Superior Court. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals.