Opinion ID: 424016
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Gregg's abuse of process claim

Text: 106 The district court correctly found that Gregg failed as a matter of law on this claim that USI abused Delaware process by the sequestration suit. Delaware has adopted Prosser's test, W. Prosser, Law of Torts Sec. 121, at 856, 857 (4th ed. 1971), requiring an ulterior purpose and a willful act in the use of the process not proper in the regular conduct of the proceedings. Unit, Inc. v. Kentucky Fried Chicken Corp., 304 A.2d 320, 331 (Del.Super.1973). 16 The acts relied upon must occur after the proceeding is filed. W. Prosser, supra, at 856; Blue Goose Growers, Inc. v. Yuma Groves, Inc., 641 F.2d 695, 697 (9th Cir.1981) (applying Arizona law); Weiss v. Hunna, 312 F.2d 711, 717 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 374 U.S. 853, 83 S.Ct. 1920, 10 L.Ed.2d 1073 (1963) (applying New York law). Gregg relies upon pre-suit actions by USI. Alleged misrepresentations by USI made in the Delaware suit do not provide the necessary willful act. W. Prosser, supra, at 856 n. 66. 107