Opinion ID: 1743379
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the slander of title issue

Text: The malicious filing for record of an instrument known to be inoperative, and which disparages the title of land, is a false and malicious statement for which damages may be recovered. Walley v. Hunt, 212 Miss. 294, 54 So.2d 393 (1951). Certain communications published in due course of a judicial proceeding are absolutely privileged and will not sustain an action for slander of title. Krebs v. McNeal, 222 Miss. 560, 76 So.2d 693 (1955). Firstsouth's theory of recovery on slander of title was that by filing lis pendens notices, Dethlefs prevented Firstsouth from being able to sell the land. The lis pendens notice was a privileged communication and therefore not actionable for slander of title. The chancellor expressly found that Dethlefs had a right to assert her interest in the underground pipe, although he expressed great displeasure with the manner in which she proceeded to protect her interest. Since Dethlefs had a valid right to have her case decided, her filing of a lis pendens notice cannot be slander of title. In Sellars v. Grant, 196 F.2d 677 (D.Miss. 1952), plaintiff refused to remove a lis pendens notice after plaintiff was advised by the defendant as to the truth of the facts. The district court held that since plaintiff was not required to accept the defendant's version, but was entitled to have the lawsuit adjudicated on sworn testimony, then plaintiff was not liable to defendant for slander of title. The same rule applies to the instant case. Firstsouth also attempted to show they lost a sale because of the Dethlefs lawsuit. Firstsouth introduced a contract which showed that a condition of the contract was that the Dethlefs encumberance be removed. Apparently Firstsouth takes the position that since Dethlefs proceeded with her lawsuit, this caused them to lose the sale. As stated, Dethlefs had every right to bring a lawsuit and establish her claim to the underground pipe. We hold that Dethlefs was not liable for any actual damages, and therefore was not liable for any punitive damages.