M Civ JI 117.20 Malicious Prosecution - Civil Proceeding

The elements of malicious prosecution are the following:

(a) a civil proceeding [ instituted / continued / procured ] by one person against another.

(b) termination of the proceeding in favor of the person against whom it was brought.

(c) absence of probable cause for bringing or continuing the proceeding.

(d) malice or a primary purpose other than that of securing the proper adjudication of the claim on which the proceeding is based.

(e) special injury resulting in damages.

Comment

See Friedman v Dozorc, 412 Mich 1, 74; 312 NW2d 585, 615 (1981). See also Drobczyk v Great Lakes Steel Corp, 367 Mich 318; 116 NW2d 736 (1962); Drouillard v Metropolitan Life Insurance Co, 107 Mich App 608; 310 NW2d 15 (1981); Rivers v Ex-Cell-O Corp, 100 Mich App 824; 300 NW2d 420 (1980); Fort Wayne Mortgage Co v Carletos, 95 Mich App 752; 291 NW2d 193 (1980); Taft v J L Hudson Co, 37 Mich App 692; 195 NW2d 296 (1972); LaLone v Rashid, 34 Mich App 193; 191 NW2d 98 (1971).

See MCL 600.2907 and Camaj v S S Kresge Co, 426 Mich 281; 393 NW2d 875 (1986), for the availability of treble damages where the underlying action was a “straw-party” suit.

History

M Civ JI 117.20 was added September 1982.