MS SB2653

Creates the Mississippi Vexatious Litigant Law defining a vexatious litigant as a person who has commenced five or more civil actions pro se in state courts (excluding justice court) within five years that were finally and adversely determined against them, or any person previously found to be vexatious under this law.

Allows defendants to move courts for orders requiring plaintiffs determined to be vexatious litigants to post security for the defendant's anticipated reasonable litigation expenses, including attorney's fees and costs, if the plaintiff is not reasonably likely to prevail on the merits.

Requires automatic dismissal with prejudice of actions where a vexatious litigant plaintiff fails to post court-ordered security within the specified timeframe.

Authorizes courts to enter prefiling orders prohibiting vexatious litigants from filing new pro se actions without prior approval from the senior judge, with violations punishable as contempt of court.

Requires the Clerk of the Mississippi Supreme Court to maintain a registry of all vexatious litigants based on prefiling orders from local court clerks and makes these protections cumulative with other existing legal remedies and sanctions.

Takes effect July 1, 2019.