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Does threatening a vexatious lawsuit count as a legal "threat" ?

1 reply

KookyNotOoky · 10/12/2023 19:45

Long story short, I ran an online business with my ex... he owes me some money from it (client paid him £1400 for a job we both worked on, which should have been split 50/50 - so £700 - not a fortune, but not nothing). After I pressed for my half of the payment and said I would take him to the Small Claims Court, he is now threatening to 'ruin me' and claims he will counter-sue over some made-up nonsense (allegedly cheating him out of money down the years etc. - nonsense, but would cost more defending myself against it then the initial sum. He has money and he's so petty I wouldn't put it past him to waste money instructing a lawyer just to p me off)

Anyway, does threatening an obivously vexatious lawsuit count as a threat under law? From what I've read, this mostly applies to threats of violence, abuse etc, (as per Public Order Act 1986) but could threatening my financial well-being also count under the law? - causing me distress, worry etc?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 10/12/2023 20:45

Since this is the small claims court, you can defend yourself if he chooses to pursue this. It shouldn't cost you anything. But no, a single threat of legal action is not an offence, however unjustified the threat. However, repeated unjustified threats of legal action may be harassment.

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