Upon a judicial determination of abuse of process, a party faces immediate and consequential sanctions designed to punish misconduct, deter future actions, and compensate the opposing party. These can include the striking out of pleadings or the entire case, resulting in an immediate loss on the merits. The court will typically impose significant cost-shifting orders, compelling the abusive party to pay the opponent's full attorney's fees and court costs, often on a higher, punitive scale. Furthermore, the judge may issue a monetary fine for contempt of court or, in egregious circumstances, refer the matter for potential disciplinary action against the involved attorneys. In cases of repetitive misconduct, the court may also issue a civil restraint order, immediately limiting the party's ability to file further claims without prior judicial approval, thereby protecting the court and other litigants from future frivolous litigation.
