Alabama Litigation Accountability Act
Alabama · Courts · §§ 12-19-270 to 12-19-276 · 7 sections
Overview
The Litigation Accountability Act governs the imposition of financial responsibility on parties and their attorneys who abuse the civil litigation process. It authorizes a court to assess costs and attorney's fees against a party or counsel who brings a claim or defense without merit, causes unwarranted delay, or forces unnecessary proceedings, and it sets out the factors the court weighs in deciding whether to make an award and in fixing its amount. The act also defines its own terms, specifies the kinds of actions it reaches, and places express limits on when its fee-shifting provisions may be applied.
Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.
In the courts
Sections of this act have been cited in 2 court decisions.
Most-cited authority: 132 N.J. 546 - McKeown-Brand v. Trump Castle Hotel & Casino
Sections covered
- Ala. Code § 12-19-270Short Title.
- Ala. Code § 12-19-271Definitions.
- Ala. Code § 12-19-272Court to Award Fees and Costs Against Attorney or Party Who Brought Action Without Substantial Justification; Voluntary Dismissal.2 cites
- Ala. Code § 12-19-273Court to Exercise Sound Discretion and Specifically Set Forth Reasons for Award; Factors to Be Considered.
- Ala. Code § 12-19-274Attorney’s Fees Negotiated in Private; Court May Approve Stipulations.
- Ala. Code § 12-19-275Application.
- Ala. Code § 12-19-276Provisions Cumulative.
Enacted in other states
Download
Copy
Embed on your site
Hover to preview · click to copy the code