I remember defending another attorney in a civil suit which sought damages for his refusal to take a case. (yes, you read that right). He told the person she had no legitimate claim. She didn't like that, so spent the next two years suing him. It took three motions to dismiss to finally get a judge to dismiss a pro se's case.
I remember the guy's junior associate practically banging his head against the wall in frustration after one court appearance.
I always knew when someone was a nutter when they walked into my office saying the words "I know my rights".
They never did...
Gotta question about this. Example...
When someone sues you over something that is essentially bullshit, you obviously have to defend yourself. To do this normally you hire a lawyer. This costs money. When the case is over and you win, you have to pay your lawyer. So you end up out of pocket for basically having to defend yourself for having done nothing. Right? Or can you get the plaintiff to pay your costs?
Now you get the lawyer answer, it depends. Typically you pay yours, but the facts of the case and how it plays out can change that and the judge could order the plaintiff to pay fees.
Now in Britain, in tort cases the rule is that if you lose, you have to pay both attorney fees. This has the effect of limiting the number of tort cases. Here, the plaintiff's bar is too powerful for any adoption of the British Rule.
I like the principle of public funding to defend nuisance cases, but it does open Pandora's box. Who determines what is a nuisance? Plus in Britain there are the most ridiculous examples of people using public funding to sue where the case clearly has no merit.
Our tort laws are a lot more punitive than yours in the respect you mention, for better or worse. Our libel laws are pretty rabid too.
I keep saying "your" laws when I mean "U.S." laws. Gotta get used to the fact that I'm living here again. I've been back for nearly a year now. Duh!
Fortunately the U.S. legal system is a delight I have yet to experience personally. Although come to think of it so is the British one!
Nearly got dragged into one of my brother's divorces a few years back, which would have been really nasty. Fortunately it was handled in a Swiss court.