滥诉意指起诉者透过各种司法进程并不是希望得到正义伸张或仲裁，而只是想让对手遭到扰乱或牵累。

滥用司法资源的议题从罗马帝国就开始有所谓「不中伤宣誓（Culumniae jusjurandum）」的机制避免婚姻官司陷入长期的争讼。1896年，英国也通过「滥诉法（Vexatious Actions Act）」，若证明某人常出入法院，是所谓的「讼棍」，可以禁止其提讼之权利。恶意诉讼、迂回诉讼等方式。司法体系中有许多避免这类事情发生的设置。

在台湾，滥诉问题常常发生于检察官对于可能嫌疑人求取过重刑罚。

Vexatious litigation is legal action which is brought, regardless of its merits, solely to harass or subdue an adversary. It may take the form of a primary frivolous lawsuit or may be the repetitive, burdensome, and unwarranted filing of meritless motions in a matter which is otherwise a meritorious cause of action. Filing vexatious litigation is considered an abuse of the judicial process and may result in sanctions against the offender.