Ringier America, Inc. v. Enviro-Technics, Ltd.

PRESIDING JUSTICE ZWICK

delivered the opinion of the court:

This case involves a slander of title claim. The sole issue presented is whether the absolute privilege accorded to false and malicious statements contained in judicial pleadings extends to the filing of an associated lis pendens notice. Although this question has been previously considered in other jurisdictions, we now confront it for the first time in Illinois.

On June 17, 1988, plaintiff, Ringier America, Inc., filed a complaint in the circuit court alleging the defendant, Enviro-Technics, Ltd., breached a contract to purchase real…