Legal Definitions - dilatory tactics

Dilatory tactics

Dilatory tactics are when someone in a lawsuit tries to slow down the legal process by using the rules in a sneaky way. For example, they might file a motion that the court has to stop and review, which delays the case. If someone is caught using dilatory tactics, they can get in trouble with the court.

Imagine you're in a lawsuit with someone who owes you money. They might use dilatory tactics to try to avoid paying you. They could file a motion to dismiss the case, even if they know it has no chance of succeeding. This would force the court to spend time reviewing the motion, which would delay the case and cost you more money in legal fees.

Another example of dilatory tactics is when someone asks for a lot of extra time to respond to a request for information. They might say they need more time to gather the documents, even if they already have them. This would delay the case and make it harder for the other side to prepare their arguments.

These examples show how dilatory tactics can be used to slow down a lawsuit and make it harder for the other side to win. It's important for the court to be aware of these tactics and take action to prevent them.