Opinion ID: 694920
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Order Restricting Filings

Text: 14 A district court has the power to enjoin litigants who have lengthy histories of abusive litigation. 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1651(a); De Long v. Hennessey, 912 F.2d 1144, 1146 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1001 (1990). An order imposing pre-filing review conditions must satisfy the following requirements: (1) the party must have had adequate notice and an opportunity to oppose the order; (2) there must be an adequate record for review, including a list of all cases and motions that led the court to conclude that a vexatious litigant order was necessary; (3) the court must make a substantive finding as to the frivolous or harassing nature of the litigant's actions; and (4) the order must be narrowly tailored to fit the particular problem involved. De Long, 912 F.2d at 1147-48. 15 As applied to Bethea Parsons, the district court's order meets the De Long requirements. She was given 20 days to show cause why a pre-filing order should not be entered. In the order directing Parsons to show cause, the district court listed each of Parsons' 17 previous filings related to the issues presented in this case. The court specifically found that each action was frivolous and harassing. 16 The district court's order is also narrowly tailored to remedy the problem presented by Bethea Parsons' filings. The order prevents her from filing, without prior leave of court, any civil action that raises issues substantially similar to the issues presented in this litigation. In seeking leave of court, Parsons must certify that the claims she wishes to present are brought in good faith and have never been raised and addressed in her previous filings. The order is no broader than necessary to meet the problem. See De Long, 912 F.2d at 1147-48. 17 Although the pre-filing order is appropriate as applied to Bethea Parsons, we must reverse with respect to Robert Parsons. He was not a party to this action. It is therefore unclear whether he received notice and an opportunity to respond. Further, the district court did not make a specific finding as to previous frivolous litigation by Robert Parsons as required under De Long. The same is true of the other members of Bethea Parsons' family. 3 18 AFFIRMED, except that the application of the district court's pre-filing order is limited to Bethea Parsons and is therefore VACATED with respect to Robert Parsons and the additional members of the Parsons family.