Court Opinion

ID: 9791348
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:09:19.723406+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:35.689410
License: Public Domain

CROCKETT, Justice
(concurring in part, dissenting in part).
I agree with the rule announced in the main opinion that the matter should have some relevancy to, or reasonable relationship with, the legal business or negotiations with respect to which privilege is claimed. If a communication meets that test, it has a qualified or conditional privilege. See 50 Am.Jur.2d, Libel and Slander, Section 211, and cases there cited. This should be considered in conjunction with the fact that the allegedly libelous statements are mere generalities accusing unlawful and improper conduct in relation to the controversy. In doing so, it is my opinion that it should be ruled as a matter of law that the letter is not libelous. When the trial court has made the correct ruling in dismissing the action, we should affirm it if it is justified under the law. See Peterson v. Fowler, 29 Utah 2d 366, 510 P.2d 523 (1973); 5 C.J.S. Appeal & Error § 1464(1), Wherefore, it is my opinion that the summary judgment rejecting defendant’s contentions was properly granted and that its action should be sustained.
I further observe that if this case is remanded for further proceedings, it is the duty of this court to pass on matters which may become material to settlement of the issues. See Rule 76(a); and LeGrand Johnson Corp. v. Peterson, 18 Utah 2d 260, 420 P.2d 615; and therefore the majority opinion of the court should indicate its view on whether the content of the letter is defamatory.