Legal Definitions - sham pleading

Definition: Sham pleading refers to a frivolous or absurd legal document that is filed only to cause trouble or delay in a legal proceeding. It is a false or deceitful plea that has no merit and is made with the intention of harassing the other party.

Example: A defendant in a civil lawsuit files a response to the plaintiff's complaint that contains no factual or legal basis for their defense. The response is clearly a sham pleading, as it does not address the allegations made by the plaintiff and is only meant to cause delay in the legal process.

This example illustrates how a sham pleading can be used to frustrate the legal process and cause unnecessary delays. It is a tactic that is frowned upon by the courts and can result in sanctions against the party who files such a document.