Legal Definitions - sham action

Definition: A legal proceeding that is fake or fraudulent, brought without any intention of pursuing it to a conclusion. It is a deceptive tactic used to mislead the court or the opposing party.

Example: A person files a lawsuit against their neighbor for damages caused by a fallen tree. However, the person knows that the tree fell due to a storm and not because of any negligence on the neighbor's part. The lawsuit is a sham action because it has no merit and is brought solely to harass or intimidate the neighbor.

This example illustrates how a sham action can be used to abuse the legal system and waste the court's time and resources. It is considered unethical and can result in sanctions or penalties for the party who files it.