abuse of process claim (Maine) · Go Syfert
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abuse of process claim in Maine

15 Maine opinions name it 2 courts 1984–2023 4 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Maine courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (6)

CaseFollowedCited
Potter, Prescott, Jamieson & Nelson, P.A. v. Campbellgreen
me · 1998 · cited in 5 Maine opinions naming this issue, 1998–2023
2 sentences

2023“The most common forms of such process are subpoenas, warrants, and writs of garnishment or attachment.” Id. § 26 cmt. c; see also Campbell, 1998 ME 70, ¶ 7 , 708 A.2d 283 . [¶16] For an abuse of process claim to succeed, there must be an assertion that the alleged tortfeasor used process.

2023“The most common forms of such process are subpoenas, warrants, and writs of garnishment or attachment.” Id. § 26 cmt. c; see also Campbell, 1998 ME 70, ¶ 7 , 708 A.2d 283 . [¶16] For an abuse of process claim to succeed, there must be an assertion that the alleged tortfeasor used process.

25
Tanguay v. Asengreen
me · 1998 · cited in 3 Maine opinions naming this issue, 2010–2023
2 sentences

2014In 29 Advanced Const. Corp. v. Pilecki, the Law Court explained that "[t]he filing of a lawsuit qualifies as a regular use of process and cannot constitute abuse of process, even if the filing was influenced by an ulterior purpose." ( 2006 ME 84 , ~ 23, 901 A.2d 189 (citing Tanguay, 1998 ME 277 , ~ 5, 722 A.2d 49 ).) Although Advanced Construction appears to stand for the general proposition that the filing of a complaint cannot serve as the basis for an abuse of process claim, a closer inspection reveals a more nuanced rule.

2014In 29 Advanced Const. Corp. v. Pilecki, the Law Court explained that "[t]he filing of a lawsuit qualifies as a regular use of process and cannot constitute abuse of process, even if the filing was influenced by an ulterior purpose." ( 2006 ME 84 , ~ 23, 901 A.2d 189 (citing Tanguay, 1998 ME 277 , ~ 5, 722 A.2d 49 ).) Although Advanced Construction appears to stand for the general proposition that the filing of a complaint cannot serve as the basis for an abuse of process claim, a closer inspection reveals a more nuanced rule.

13
Pepperell Trust Co. v. Mountain Heir Financial Corp.green
me · 1998 · cited in 2 Maine opinions naming this issue, 2014–2020
2 sentences

2014When an appeal is taken, 'the proceedings are not terminated until the final disposition of the appeal and of any further proceedings that it may entail.' Pepperell Trust Co., 1998 ME 46 , 'i[18, 708 A.2d 651 (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 674, cmt. j). 5 Attorney Bergen has also argued, and this court agrees, that Mr. Going cannot prevail on an abuse of process claim, since he has not set forth a claim that Attorney Bergen wrongfully used individual legal procedures against him after the suit was commenced.

2014When an appeal is taken, 'the proceedings are not terminated until the final disposition of the appeal and of any further proceedings that it may entail.' Pepperell Trust Co., 1998 ME 46 , 'i[18, 708 A.2d 651 (quoting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 674, cmt. j). 5 Attorney Bergen has also argued, and this court agrees, that Mr. Going cannot prevail on an abuse of process claim, since he has not set forth a claim that Attorney Bergen wrongfully used individual legal procedures against him after the suit was commenced.

12
Nadeau v. Stategreen
me · 1978 · cited in 1 Maine opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023We disagree. [¶15] The elements necessary to sustain an abuse of process claim are (1) “a use of the process in a manner not proper in the regular conduct of the proceedings” and (2) “the existence of an ulterior motive.” Nadeau v. State, 395 A.2d 107, 117 (Me. 1978); see also Nader v. Me.

11
City of Angoon v. Donald P. Hodel, Secretary of the Interior, and Shee Atika, Inc.green
ca9 · 1988 · cited in 1 Maine opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023Compare Angoon v. Hodel, 836 F.2d 1245, 1248 (9th Cir. 1988) (“Because lis pendens is not ‘process,’ its filing does not trigger an action for abuse of process.”), and Cent.

11
Baker v. Charlesgreen
med · 1996 · cited in 1 Maine opinions naming this issue, 2004–2004
1 sentence

2004Cf. Baker v. Charles, 919 F. Supp 41, 46 (D.

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Maine. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (7)

CaseCitedYears
Advanced Construction Corp. v. Pilecki green
me · 2006
2 sentences

2014In 29 Advanced Const. Corp. v. Pilecki, the Law Court explained that "[t]he filing of a lawsuit qualifies as a regular use of process and cannot constitute abuse of process, even if the filing was influenced by an ulterior purpose." ( 2006 ME 84 , ~ 23, 901 A.2d 189 (citing Tanguay, 1998 ME 277 , ~ 5, 722 A.2d 49 ).) Although Advanced Construction appears to stand for the general proposition that the filing of a complaint cannot serve as the basis for an abuse of process claim, a closer inspection reveals a more nuanced rule.

2014In 29 Advanced Const. Corp. v. Pilecki, the Law Court explained that "[t]he filing of a lawsuit qualifies as a regular use of process and cannot constitute abuse of process, even if the filing was influenced by an ulterior purpose." ( 2006 ME 84 , ~ 23, 901 A.2d 189 (citing Tanguay, 1998 ME 277 , ~ 5, 722 A.2d 49 ).) Although Advanced Construction appears to stand for the general proposition that the filing of a complaint cannot serve as the basis for an abuse of process claim, a closer inspection reveals a more nuanced rule.

52012–2023
George Jennings v. Christopher K. MacLean green
me · 2015
2 sentences

2022Count III and Count VI (Abuse of Process) An abuse of process claim may arise from "misuse of individual legal procedures, such as discovery, subpoenas, and attachment, after a lawsuit has been filed, and the misuse of the procedures for obtaining a lien." Jennings, 2015 ME 42 , ,r 7, 114 A.3d 667 .

2022Count III and Count VI (Abuse of Process) An abuse of process claim may arise from "misuse of individual legal procedures, such as discovery, subpoenas, and attachment, after a lawsuit has been filed, and the misuse of the procedures for obtaining a lien." Jennings, 2015 ME 42 , ,r 7, 114 A.3d 667 .

32020–2023
Simon, II v. Navon green
ca1 · 1995
2 sentences

1998In Simon v. Navon, 71 F.3d 9 (1st Cir.1995), the court held that under Maine law the filing of a complaint alone cannot be the basis for an abuse of process claim and explained that the “COiling of a lawsuit is a ‘regular’ use of process, and therefore may not on its own fulfill the requirement of an abusive act, even if the decision to sue was influenced by a wrongful motive, purpose or intent.” Id. at 16 .

1998In Simon v. Navon, 71 F.3d 9 (1st Cir.1995), the court held that under Maine law the filing of a complaint alone cannot be the basis for an abuse of process claim and explained that the “COiling of a lawsuit is a ‘regular’ use of process, and therefore may not on its own fulfill the requirement of an abusive act, even if the decision to sue was influenced by a wrongful motive, purpose or intent.” Id. at 16 .

21998–2010
Nader v. Maine Democratic Party green
me · 2012
2 sentences

2023Democratic Party, 2012 ME 57, ¶ 38 , 41 A.3d 551 (same).

2023Democratic Party, 2012 ME 57, ¶ 38 , 41 A.3d 551 (same).

12023–2023
Bradbury v. GMAC Mortgage, LLC green
med · 2011
1 sentence

2014(Bradbury, 780 F.Supp.2d at 111 n.ll.) Bradbury stated: Generally the term refers to "legal process" invoking state power such as a subpoena, attachment, and a mechanic's lien. [S]ome of the cases, however, refer to "discovery" as "process," e.g.

12014–2014
Saliem v. Glovsky green
me · 1934
1 sentence

2014Tanguay, upon which Advanced Construction relies for the aforementioned proposition, cites to Potter, Prescott, Jamieson & Nelson, P.A. v. Campbell, 1998 ME 70 , ~ 7, 708 A.2d 283 ("Campbell"), and Simon v. Navon, 71 F .3d 9 (1st Cir. 1995) ("Simon") for support. ( 1998 ME 277 , ~ 5, 722 A.2d 49 .) Campbell notes that Simon and its holding are consistent with Maine decisions which involve abuse of process claims. ( 1998 ME 70 , ~ 7, 708 A.2d 283 .) Specifically Campbell approved of Simon's assertion that "[f]iling of a lawsuit is a 'regular' use of process, and therefore may not on its own ful

12014–2014
New York Times Co. v. Sullivan green
scotus · 1964
2 sentences

1984CMP cross-appeals, assigning error to the court’s exclusion of evidence concerning the two polygraph tests Packard had taken, and to the court’s failure to rule Packard a “public official” under the New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 , 84 S.Ct. 710 , 11 L.Ed.2d 686 (1964), standard, for purposes of the defamation claim. 1 II.

1984CMP cross-appeals, assigning error to the court’s exclusion of evidence concerning the two polygraph tests Packard had taken, and to the court’s failure to rule Packard a “public official” under the New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 , 84 S.Ct. 710 , 11 L.Ed.2d 686 (1964), standard, for purposes of the defamation claim. 1 II.

11984–1984

Where else courts name it

OH 53 (1994–2025) MA 51 (1986–2026) CA 44 (1986–2026) NY 25 (1986–2026) CT 22 (1991–2025) PA 20 (2001–2025) CO 20 (1986–2026) TX 19 (1993–2025) SC 17 (1994–2026) NM 17 (1987–2024) NV 16 (1986–2022) IN 16 (1994–2025) AL 15 (1981–2024) ME 15 (1984–2023) IA 14 (1982–2021) NC 13 (1986–2025) MO 12 (1993–2022) MT 12 (2000–2024) MS 10 (1999–2025) WA 10 (2008–2026) AZ 10 (1982–2024) RI 8 (1989–2010) MI 8 (1984–2024) LA 8 (1993–2024) AR 8 (1993–2021) VA 8 (1989–2021) KY 7 (2013–2024) HI 7 (1990–2024) UT 7 (2004–2025) IL 7 (1996–2023) KS 6 (1988–2021) FL 6 (1984–2025) NJ 6 (1992–2026) WI 5 (1979–2026) AK 5 (1988–2025) TN 5 (2000–2020) DE 4 (2014–2024) ND 4 (2015–2020) OR 3 (1986–2023) OK 3 (2000–2020) SD 3 (1991–2022) NH 3 (1995–2019) MN 2 (1979–2014) NE 2 (1998–2025)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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