Opinion ID: 1796333
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: did the trial court err by dismissing the counter claims of abuse of process and malicious prosecution against wilbourn?

Text: Each individually named defendant, except Ward, filed counter claims against Wilbourn. On January 15, 1993, Circuit Court Judge Graves entered an order dismissing with prejudice the counter claims of the defendants against Wilbourn. Defendants appeal the dismissal of their claims for malicious prosecution and abuse of process. The defendants' briefs cite their answers to interrogatories to establish their damages. Defendants do not allege, and affirmatively deny the loss of business income as a result of this litigation. However, all interrogatories of Wilbourn asking for any showing of damages or for showing of an improper purpose on the part of Wilbourn in filing the malpractice suit are objected to by the defendants because of the work-product doctrine and attorney-client privilege with the Johnston family. Further, it seems that each cross claim is attempting to use the filing of the Bar complaint to show Wilbourn's alleged improper purpose. However, the defendants fail to remember the complaint was not filed against SW & W, P.A. but only against Wright and Martin. Defendants stated that additional documents would be produced to show damages. Those additional documents were never produced for the consideration of the lower court. Each defendant submitted identical answers to the interrogatories, except for a dollar amount of damages, where they handwrote or typed an amount, filling in the blank. Each defendant gave deposition testimony equally evasive as the answers to interrogatories. Each defendant stated their individual amount of damages resulted from the time they each spent preparing for the Wilbourn suit. No defendant stated a client had been lost or clients had been refused services because of this suit. Further, no defendant knew of any person who had stated something derogatory of the firm or any of its shareholders or employees as a result of the litigation. Judge Graves considered all of the above answers and testimony and then dismissed the counter claims with prejudice. Defendants' action for malicious prosecution is unfounded. Elements of malicious prosecution are: (1) institution of original judicial proceedings, either criminal or civil; (2) by insistence of Wilbourn; (3) the termination of such proceedings in favor of the defendants; (4) malice in the instituting of the proceedings; (5) want of probable cause for the proceedings; and (6) the suffering of damages as a result of the action or prosecution. Page v. Wiggins, 595 So.2d 1291, 1293 (Miss. 1992); Strong v. Nicholson; 580 So.2d 1288, 1293 (Miss. 1991); Miss. Road Supply v. Zurich-American Ins. Co., 501 So.2d 412, 414 (Miss. 1987). Defendants' briefs contained only one paragraph in support of this claim. Defendants contend this issue should not be dismissed with prejudice because the original proceeding has not been terminated. However, like defendant's claim for abuse of process, the defendants fail to show any harm. It is generally recognized that the elements essential to sustain the action of abuse of process are: (1) that the defendant made an illegal and improper perverted use of the process; (2) that the defendant had an ulterior motive or purpose in exercising such illegal, perverted or improper use of process; and (3) that damage resulted to the plaintiff from the irregularity. State for Use and Benefit of Foster v. Turner, 319 So.2d 233, 236 (Miss. 1975). Again, defendants fail to show any harm, and thus cannot make a prima facie showing. The dismissal with prejudice of the counter claims was proper and is affirmed.