From time to time in litigation, opposing sides exchange harsh and even arguably slanderous words. The good news is that in some circumstances, those exchanges are privileged and protected from defamation claims.

In Richmond v. McHale, 2012 Pa. Super. LEXIS 2 (January 4, 2012), the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that allegedly defamatory statements made during a discovery meeting were absolutely protected by judicial privilege. The court affirmed the trial court order sustaining the appellee’s preliminary objections and dismissing the appellant’s complaint.

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