Court Opinion

ID: 9563108
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:36:57.486577+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:17:44.098562
License: Public Domain

Dolliver, J.
(concurring in part, dissenting in part) — I concur in the conclusions reached by the majority in section I of its opinion. I cannot concur, however, with its decision to overrule McGuinness v. Hargiss, 56 Wash. 162, 105 P. 233 (1909) and make attorney fees recoverable in a slander of title action. As the majority recognizes, Washington has long followed the American rule that attorney fees are not recoverable as costs of litigation absent a contract, statute, or recognized ground of equity. Majority, at 861. The major*864ity, however, abandons this solid precedent and uses common law to expand the availability of attorney fees. We have consistently left such decisions to the Legislature, and until the Legislature acts to change the current rule, I would adhere to the long-established precedent that attorney fees are not recoverable in a slander of title action. Therefore, I dissent.
Andersen, C.J., and Madsen, J., concur with Dolliver, J.