What constitutes a frivolous claim?

A frivolous claim is defined as one that lacks any legitimate foundation in fact or law. This means that either the facts that form the basis of the claim are false or the legal principles meant to support the claim are nonexistent or legally insufficient. This definition is critical because the legal system aims to avoid wasting resources on claims that do not warrant serious consideration due to their lack of merit. Frivolous claims can lead to penalties for the party bringing such claims, as they can be seen as an abuse of the judicial process.

The other options describe aspects that do not align with the definition of frivolity in legal claims. For instance, a claim being costly to pursue does not inherently make it frivolous; the merits of the claim itself must be evaluated irrespective of the costs involved. Similarly, a claim being unpopular or having been dismissed previously does not automatically classify it as frivolous; a claim may still have valid legal arguments or factual bases, just as it could be dismissed for procedural reasons unrelated to its merit. Hence, the correct understanding of frivolous claims clearly points to their lack of a factual or legal basis.