conditional or qualified privilege in Washington

9 Washington opinions name it 2 courts 1987–2025 1 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Washington 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 (3)

Case	Followed	Cited
Bender v. City of Seattlegreen wash · 1983 · cited in 2 Washington opinions naming this issue, 1987–2018 2 sentences 2018An absolute privilege absolves the defendant from all liability for defamatory statements. -5- No. 77157-4-1/6 A conditional or qualified privilege "may be lost if it can be shown that the privilege has been abused." Bender v. City of Seattle, 99 Wn.2d 582, 600 , 664 P.2d 492 (1983). 1. 2018An absolute privilege absolves the defendant from all liability for defamatory statements. -5- No. 77157-4-1/6 A conditional or qualified privilege "may be lost if it can be shown that the privilege has been abused." Bender v. City of Seattle, 99 Wn.2d 582, 600 , 664 P.2d 492 (1983). 1.	1	2
Trim-A-Way Figure Contouring, Ltd. v. National Better Business Bureau, Inc.green nyappdiv · 1971 · cited in 1 Washington opinions naming this issue, 1991–1991 2 sentences 1991Several jurisdictions have extended a qualified privilege to the Better Business Bureau, reasoning a conditional privilege, based on public policy recognizing the need for information to be given for the protection of certain interests of the public, "is necessary to afford protection against liability for misinformation given in an honest and reasonable effort to protect or advance the interest in question." Trim-A-Way Figure Contouring, Ltd. v. National Better Business Bur., 589 Inc., 37 A.D.2d 43, 45 , 322 N.Y.S.2d 154, 157 (1971) (quoting Restatement of Torts 240 (1938)); Patio World v. B 1991Several jurisdictions have extended a qualified privilege to the Better Business Bureau, reasoning a conditional privilege, based on public policy recognizing the need for information to be given for the protection of certain interests of the public, "is necessary to afford protection against liability for misinformation given in an honest and reasonable effort to protect or advance the interest in question." Trim-A-Way Figure Contouring, Ltd. v. National Better Business Bur., 589 Inc., 37 A.D.2d 43, 45 , 322 N.Y.S.2d 154, 157 (1971) (quoting Restatement of Torts 240 (1938)); Patio World v. B	1	1
Patio World v. Better Business Bureau, Inc.green ohioctapp · 1989 · cited in 1 Washington opinions naming this issue, 1991–1991 2 sentences 1991Several jurisdictions have extended a qualified privilege to the Better Business Bureau, reasoning a conditional privilege, based on public policy recognizing the need for information to be given for the protection of certain interests of the public, "is necessary to afford protection against liability for misinformation given in an honest and reasonable effort to protect or advance the interest in question." Trim-A-Way Figure Contouring, Ltd. v. National Better Business Bur., 589 Inc., 37 A.D.2d 43, 45 , 322 N.Y.S.2d 154, 157 (1971) (quoting Restatement of Torts 240 (1938)); Patio World v. B 1991Several jurisdictions have extended a qualified privilege to the Better Business Bureau, reasoning a conditional privilege, based on public policy recognizing the need for information to be given for the protection of certain interests of the public, "is necessary to afford protection against liability for misinformation given in an honest and reasonable effort to protect or advance the interest in question." Trim-A-Way Figure Contouring, Ltd. v. National Better Business Bur., 589 Inc., 37 A.D.2d 43, 45 , 322 N.Y.S.2d 154, 157 (1971) (quoting Restatement of Torts 240 (1938)); Patio World v. B	1	1

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

Case	Negative	Cited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Washington. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (8)

Case	Cited	Years
Herron v. Tribune Publishing Co. green wash · 1987 2 sentences 2025Id. at 742 (“ ‘[A] showing of actual malice will defeat a conditional or qualified privilege.’ ” (alteration in original) (quoting Herron v. Tribune Publ’g Co., 108 Wn.2d 162, 183 , 736 P.2d 249 (1987))). 2025Id. at 742 (“ ‘[A] showing of actual malice will defeat a conditional or qualified privilege.’ ” (alteration in original) (quoting Herron v. Tribune Publ’g Co., 108 Wn.2d 162, 183 , 736 P.2d 249 (1987))).	5	2008–2025
Momah v. Bharti green washctapp · 2008 1 sentence 2015In such a case, "a showing of actual malice will defeat a conditional or qualified privilege." Herron v. Tribune Publ'g Co. Inc., 108 Wn.2d 162, 183 , 736 P.2d 249 (1987). 5 No. 32204-l-III Summit Mechanical v. CCS "Actual malice must be shown by clear and convincing proof of knowledge or reckless disregard as to the falsity of a statement." Momah v. Bharti, 144 Wn.	1	2015–2015
Pate v. Tyee Motor Inn, Inc. green wash · 1970 2 sentences 2013Inc., 77 Wn.2d 819, 820-21 , 467 P.2d 301 (1970); see also Corballv v. Kennewick Sen. 2013Inc., 77 Wn.2d 819, 820-21 , 467 P.2d 301 (1970); see also Corballv v. Kennewick Sen.	1	2013–2013
Alpine Industries v. Cowles Pub. Co. green washctapp · 2002 1 sentence 2008Alpine, 114 Wash.App. at 382 , 57 P.3d 1178 . "[A] showing of actual malice will defeat a conditional or qualified privilege." Herron v. Tribune Pub.	1	2008–2008
Alpine Industries Computers, Inc. v. Cowles Publishing Co. green washctapp · 2002 1 sentence 2008Alpine, 114 Wash.App. at 382 , 57 P.3d 1178 . "[A] showing of actual malice will defeat a conditional or qualified privilege." Herron v. Tribune Pub.	1	2008–2008
Owens v. Scott Publishing Co. green wash · 1955 2 sentences 1999Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 88 Wn.2d 473, 478-79 , 564 P.2d 1131 (1977) (citing Owens v. Scott Publ'g Co., 46 Wn.2d 666, 674 , 284 P.2d 296 (1955), cert. denied, 350 U.S. 968 (1956)). 1999Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 88 Wn.2d 473, 478-79 , 564 P.2d 1131 (1977) (citing Owens v. Scott Publ'g Co., 46 Wn.2d 666, 674 , 284 P.2d 296 (1955), cert. denied, 350 U.S. 968 (1956)).	1	1999–1999
Scott Publishing Co. v. Owens green scotus · 1956 1 sentence 1999Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 88 Wn.2d 473, 478-79 , 564 P.2d 1131 (1977) (citing Owens v. Scott Publ'g Co., 46 Wn.2d 666, 674 , 284 P.2d 296 (1955), cert. denied, 350 U.S. 968 (1956)).	1	1999–1999
Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc. green wash · 1977 2 sentences 1999Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 88 Wn.2d 473, 478-79 , 564 P.2d 1131 (1977) (citing Owens v. Scott Publ'g Co., 46 Wn.2d 666, 674 , 284 P.2d 296 (1955), cert. denied, 350 U.S. 968 (1956)). 1999Twelker v. Shannon & Wilson, Inc., 88 Wn.2d 473, 478-79 , 564 P.2d 1131 (1977) (citing Owens v. Scott Publ'g Co., 46 Wn.2d 666, 674 , 284 P.2d 296 (1955), cert. denied, 350 U.S. 968 (1956)).	1	1999–1999

Where else courts name it

TX 44 (1969–2022) LA 24 (1976–2022) OH 14 (1996–2025) MO 12 (1966–2025) CT 11 (1987–2018) WA 9 (1987–2025) IL 7 (1982–2010) AL 6 (1977–2001) MD 4 (1975–2016) MA 4 (1991–2012) NH 3 (2002–2007) NJ 3 (1987–2005) NM 2 (1994–2007) NY 2 (1993–1996) PA 2 (1979–2025) GA 2 (1974–1985) HI 2 (1982–2007) SC 2 (2013–2018) CA 2 (1985–2013)

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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