{"id":985,"date":"2021-10-25T03:49:52","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T03:49:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/?page_id=985"},"modified":"2022-05-03T20:33:03","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T20:33:03","slug":"caci-1730-slander-of-title-essential-factual-elements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/caci-1730-slander-of-title-essential-factual-elements\/","title":{"rendered":"CACI 1730 Slander of Title\u2014Essential Factual Elements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku7wv0pm-2ecbf7effabe55c6a4938f831709791a\">\n#top .av-special-heading.av-ku7wv0pm-2ecbf7effabe55c6a4938f831709791a{\npadding-bottom:10px;\n}\nbody .av-special-heading.av-ku7wv0pm-2ecbf7effabe55c6a4938f831709791a .av-special-heading-tag .heading-char{\nfont-size:25px;\n}\n.av-special-heading.av-ku7wv0pm-2ecbf7effabe55c6a4938f831709791a .av-subheading{\nfont-size:15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='av-special-heading av-ku7wv0pm-2ecbf7effabe55c6a4938f831709791a av-special-heading-h1 blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_hr  avia-builder-el-first '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >CACI 1730 Slander of Title\u2014Essential Factual Elements<\/h1><div class='av-subheading av-subheading_below'><p>California Civil Jury Instructions CACI<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"special-heading-border\"><div class=\"special-heading-inner-border\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_avia_sc_search '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7\">\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 .av_searchform_wrapper{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nborder-color:#edae44;\nbackground-color:#edae44;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 #s.av-input-field{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 #searchsubmit{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n#top .avia_search_element.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7 .av_searchsubmit_wrapper{\nborder-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n.ajax_search_response.av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7{\npadding:0px 0px 0px 0px;\nmargin:0px 0px 0px 0px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<div  class='avia_search_element av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7  avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_textblock '><search><form action='https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/' id='searchform_element' method='get' class='' data-element_id='av-avia_sc_search-f7f83518637509acfac1c9900b84c1e7' ><div class='av_searchform_wrapper'><input type='search' value='' id='s' name='s' placeholder='Search CACI' aria-label='Search CACI' class='av-input-field ' required \/><div class='av_searchsubmit_wrapper '><input type='submit' value='Find' id='searchsubmit' class='button ' title='View results on search page' aria-label='View results on search page' \/><\/div><input type='hidden' name='numberposts' value='8' \/><input type='hidden' name='post_type' value='page' \/><input type='hidden' name='results_hide_fields' value='post_titles,meta,image' \/><\/div><\/form><\/search><\/div>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-e878f05c31dff72941bf1e49a00d9ff5 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\/\">CACI Jury Instructions Index<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caci-fillable-forms.crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">App: CACI Jury Instructions Fillable Forms Word Format<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-av_hr-91d7ccd583a503147498e120fee2ff9b hr-default  avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ku7ww875-36a8741748a1cb0fa4bde66b3a2793dc\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ku7ww875-36a8741748a1cb0fa4bde66b3a2793dc .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ku7ww875-36a8741748a1cb0fa4bde66b3a2793dc '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h2 class=\"SS_Banner\">1730\u00a0Slander of Title\u2014Essential Factual Elements<\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] claims that [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] harmed [him\/her\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">nonbinary pronoun<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] by [making a statement\/taking an action] that cast doubts about [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s ownership of [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">describe real or personal property, e.g., the residence located at [address]<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]. To establish this claim, [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] must prove all of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">1.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That<\/span>\u00a0[<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] [made a statement\/[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">specify other act, e.g., recorded a deed<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] that cast doubts about [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s ownership of the property;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">2.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That the [statement was made to a person other than [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\/[<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">specify other publication, e.g., deed became a public record<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]];<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">3.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [the statement was untrue and] [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] did in fact own the property;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">4.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] [knew that\/acted with reckless disregard of the truth or falsity as to whether] [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] owned the property;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">5.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] knew or should have recognized that someone else might act in reliance on the [statement\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">e.g., deed<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">], causing [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] financial loss;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">6.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] did in fact suffer immediate and direct financial harm [because someone else acted in reliance on the [statement\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">e.g., deed<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\/ [or] by incurring legal expenses necessary to remove the doubt cast by the [statement\/<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">e.g., deed<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">] and to clear title];<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">7.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">That [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of defendant<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s conduct was a substantial factor in causing [<\/span><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">name of plaintiff<\/span><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\">]\u2019s harm. <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\"><\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_1\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">New December 2012; Revised May 2018, November 2018 <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">Crowdsource Lawyers<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci\">https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/judicial-council-california-civil-jury-instructions-caci<\/a><span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\"><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Directions for Use<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_2\">\n<p>Slander of title may be either by words or an act that clouds title to the property. (See, e.g.,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Alpha &amp; Omega Development, LP v. Whillock Contracting, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(2011) 200 Cal.App.4th 656, 661 [132 Cal.Rptr.3d 781]\u00a0[filing of lis pendens].) If the slander is by means other than words, specify the means in element 1. If the slander is by words, select the first option in element 2.<\/p>\n<p>An additional element of a slander of title claim is that the alleged slanderous statement was without privilege or justification. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Schep v. Capital One, N.A.<\/span>\u00a0(2017) 12 Cal.App.5th 1331, 1336 [220 Cal.Rptr.3d 408].) If this element presents an issue for the jury, an instruction on it must be given.<\/p>\n<p>Under the common-interest privilege of\u00a0Civil Code section 47(c), the defendant bears the initial burden of showing facts to bring the communication within the privilege. The plaintiff then must prove that the statement was made with malice. (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Lundquist v. Reusser<\/span>\u00a0(1994) 7 Cal.4th 1193, 1203 [31 Cal.Rptr.2d 776, 875 P.2d 1279].) If the common-interest privilege is at issue, give\u00a0CACI No. 1723,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Common Interest Privilege\u2014Malice<\/span>. The elements of\u00a0CACI No. 1723\u00a0constitute the \u201cunprivileged\u201d element of this basic claim.<\/p>\n<p>If the privilege of\u00a0Civil Code section 47(d)\u00a0for a privileged publication or broadcast is alleged, give\u00a0CACI No. 1724,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Fair and True Reporting Privilege.<\/span>\u00a0(See\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">J-M Manufacturing Co., Inc. v. Phillips &amp; Cohen LLP<\/span>\u00a0(2016) 247 Cal.App.4th 87 [201 Cal.Rptr.3d 782].) If some other privilege is at issue, an additional element or instruction targeting that privilege will be required.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the privilege of\u00a0Civil Code section 47(c), it would appear that actual malice in the sense of ill will toward and intent to harm the plaintiff is not required and that malice may be implied in law from absence of privilege (see\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Gudger v. Manton<\/span>\u00a0(1943) 21 Cal.2d 537, 543\u2013544 [134 P.2d 217], disapproved on other grounds in\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Albertson v. Raboff<\/span>\u00a0(1956) 46 Cal.2d 375, 381 [295 P.2d 405]) or from the attempt to secure property to which the defendant had no legitimate claim (see\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Spencer v. Harmon Enterprises, Inc.<\/span>\u00a0(1965) 234 Cal.App.2d 614, 623 [44 Cal.Rptr. 683]) or from accusations made without foundation (element 4). (See\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Contra Costa County Title Co. v. Waloff<\/span>\u00a0(1960) 184 Cal.App.2d 59, 67 [7 Cal.Rptr. 358].) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<h2 class=\"SS_HideShowSection SS_Expandable\">Sources and Authority<\/h2>\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\">\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[S]lander of title is not a form of deceit. It is a form of the separate common law tort of disparagement, also sometimes referred to as injurious falsehood.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Finch Aerospace Corp. v. City of San Diego<\/span>\u00a0(2017) 8 Cal.App.5th 1248, 1253 [214 Cal.Rptr.3d 628].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe Supreme Court has recently determined a viable disparagement claim, which necessarily includes a slander of title claim, requires the existence of a \u2018misleading statement that (1) specifically refers to the plaintiff\u2019s product or business and (2) clearly derogates that product or business. Each requirement must be satisfied by express mention or by clear implication.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Finch Aerospace Corp., supra,<\/span>\u00a08 Cal.App.5th at p. 1253.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c\u2009\u2018Slander of title is effected by one who without privilege publishes untrue and disparaging statements with respect to the property of another under such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to foresee that a prospective purchaser or lessee thereof might abandon his intentions. It is an invasion of the interest in the vendibility of property. In order to commit the tort actual malice or ill will is unnecessary. Damages usually consist of loss of a prospective purchaser. To be disparaging a statement need not be a complete denial of title in others, but may be any unfounded claim of an interest in the property which throws doubt upon its ownership.\u2019 \u2018However, it is not necessary to show that a particular pending deal was hampered or prevented, since recovery may be had for the depreciation in the market value of the property.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">M.F. Farming, Co. v. Couch Distributing Co.<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 207 Cal.App.4th 180, 198\u2013199 [143 Cal.Rptr.3d 160], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cSlander of title \u2018occurs when a person, without a privilege to do so, publishes a false statement that disparages title to property and causes pecuniary loss. [Citation.]\u2019 The false statement must be \u2018\u2009\u201cmaliciously made with the intent to defame.\u201d\u2009\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Cyr v. McGovran<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 645, 651 [142 Cal.Rptr.3d 34], internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cOne who publishes a false statement harmful to the interests of another is subject to liability for pecuniary loss resulting to the other if (a) he intends for publication of the statement to result in harm to interests of the other having a pecuniary value, or either recognizes or should recognize that it is likely to do so, and (b) he knows that the statement is false or acts in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Appel v. Burman<\/span>\u00a0(1984) 159 Cal.App.3d 1209, 1214 [206 Cal.Rptr. 259], quoting\u00a0Rest. 2d Torts \u00a7\u2009623A.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cOne who, without a privilege to do so, publishes matter which is untrue and disparaging to another\u2019s property in land, chattels or intangible things under such circumstances as would lead a reasonable man to foresee that the conduct of a third person as purchaser or lessee thereof might be determined thereby is liable for pecuniary loss resulting to the other from the impairment of vendibility thus caused.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Chrysler Credit Corp. v. Ostly<\/span>\u00a0(1974) 42 Cal.App.3d 663, 674 [117 Cal.Rptr. 167], quoting\u00a0Rest. Torts, \u00a7\u2009624\u00a0[motor vehicle case].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cSections 623A,\u00a0624\u00a0and\u00a0633 of the Restatement Second of Torts\u00a0further refine the definition so it is clear included elements of the tort are that there must be (a) a publication, (b) which is without privilege or justification and thus with malice, express or implied, and (c) is false, either knowingly so or made without regard to its truthfulness, and (d) causes direct and immediate pecuniary loss.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Howard v. Schaniel<\/span>\u00a0(1980) 113 Cal.App.3d 256, 263\u2013264 [169 Cal.Rptr. 678], footnote and internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cIn an action for wrongful disparagement of title, a plaintiff may recover (1) the expense of legal proceedings necessary to remove the doubt cast by the disparagement, (2) financial loss resulting from the impairment of vendibility of the property, and (3) general damages for the time and inconvenience suffered by plaintiff in removing the doubt cast upon his property.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Klem v. Access Ins. Co.<\/span>\u00a0(2017) 17 Cal.App.5th 595, 624 [225 Cal.Rptr.3d 711].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cWhile it is true that an essential element of a cause of action for slander of title is that the plaintiff suffered pecuniary damage as a result of the disparagement of title, the law is equally clear that the expense of legal proceedings necessary to remove the doubt cast by the disparagement and to clear title is a recognized form of pecuniary damage in such cases.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Sumner Hill Homeowners\u2019 Assn., Inc. v. Rio Mesa Holdings, LLC<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 999, 1032 [141 Cal.Rptr.3d 109], internal citations omitted; see\u00a0Rest.2d Torts, \u00a7\u2009633, subd. (1)(b).)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cAlthough attorney fees and litigation expenses reasonably necessary to remove the memorandum from the record were recoverable, those incurred merely in pursuit of damages against \u2026 defendants were not.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Seeley v. Seymour<\/span>\u00a0(1987) 190 Cal.App.3d 844, 865\u2013866 [237 Cal.Rptr. 282].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cAlthough the gravamen of an action for disparagement of title is different from that of an action for personal defamation, substantially the same privileges are recognized in relation to both torts in the absence of statute. Questions of privilege relating to both torts are now resolved in the light of\u00a0section 47 of the Civil Code.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Albertson, supra,<\/span>\u00a046 Cal.2d at pp. 378\u2013379, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[The privilege of\u00a0Civil Code section 47(c)] is lost, however, where the person making the communication acts with malice. Malice exists where the person making the statement acts out of hatred or ill will, or has no reasonable grounds for believing the statement to be true, or makes the statement for any reason other than to protect the interest for the protection of which the privilege is given.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Earp v. Nobmann<\/span>\u00a0(1981) 122 Cal.App.3d 270, 285 [175 Cal.Rptr. 767], disapproved on other grounds in\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Silberg v. Anderson<\/span>\u00a0(1990) 50 Cal.3d 205, 219 [266 Cal.Rptr. 638, 786 P.2d 365].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe existence of privilege is a defense to an action for defamation. Therefore, the burden is on the defendant to plead and prove the challenged publication was made under circumstances that conferred the privilege.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Palmer v. Zaklama<\/span>\u00a0(2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 1367, 1380 [1 Cal.Rptr.3d 116]\u00a0[applying rule to slander of title].)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cThe principal issue presented in this case is whether the trial court properly instructed the jury that, in the jury\u2019s determination whether the common-interest privilege set forth in section 47(c) has been established, defendants bore the burden of proving not only that the allegedly defamatory statement was made upon an occasion that falls within the common-interest privilege, but also that the statement was made without malice. Defendants contend that, in California and throughout the United States, the general rule is that, although a defendant bears the initial burden of establishing that the allegedly defamatory statement was made upon an occasion falling within the purview of the common-interest privilege, once it is established that the statement was made upon such a privileged occasion, the plaintiff may recover damages for defamation only if the plaintiff successfully meets the burden of proving that the statement was made with malice. As stated above, the Court of Appeal agreed with defendants on this point. Although, as we shall explain, there are a few (primarily early) California decisions that state a contrary rule, both the legislative history of section 47(c) and the overwhelming majority of recent California decisions support the Court of Appeal\u2019s conclusion. Accordingly, we agree with the Court of Appeal insofar as it concluded that the trial court erred in instructing the jury that defendants bore the burden of proof upon the issue of malice, for purposes of section 47(c).\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Lundquist, supra,<\/span>\u00a07 Cal.4th at pp. 1202\u20131203, internal citations omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201cCivil Code section 47(b)(4)\u00a0clearly describes the conditions for application of the [litigation] privilege to a recorded lis pendens as follows: \u2018A recorded lis pendens is not a privileged publication unless it identifies an action previously filed with a court of competent jurisdiction which affects the title or right of possession of real property, as authorized or required by law.\u2019 Those conditions are (1) the lis pendens must identify a previously filed action and (2) the previously filed action must be one that affects title or right of possession of real property. We decline to add a third requirement that there must also be evidentiary merit.\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">La Jolla Group II v. Bruce<\/span>\u00a0(2012) 211 Cal.App.4th 461, 476 [149 Cal.Rptr.3d 716], internal citation omitted.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"SS_ListLabel\">\u2022<\/span><span class=\"SS_ListItemContent\">\u201c[T]he property owner may recover for the impairment of the vendibility \u2018of his property\u2019 without showing that the loss was caused by prevention of a particular sale. \u2018The most usual manner in which a third person\u2019s reliance upon disparaging matter causes pecuniary loss is by preventing a sale to a particular purchaser.\u2009\u2026 The disparaging matter may, if widely disseminated, cause pecuniary loss by depriving its possessor of a market in which, but for the disparagement, his land or other thing might with reasonable certainty have found a purchaser.\u2019\u2009\u201d (<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Glass v. Gulf Oil Corp.<\/span>\u00a0(1970) 12 Cal.App.3d 412, 424 [96 Cal.Rptr. 902].) <br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><br class=\"avia-permanent-lb\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"SS_Heading\"><span class=\"SS_bf\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_bf\"><span class=\"SS_ib\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_ib\">Secondary Sources<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<div>5 Witkin, Summary of California Law (11th ed. 2017) Torts \u00a7\u00a7\u2009747, 1886<\/div>\n<div>3 Levy et al.,\u00a0California Torts, Ch. 40,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Fraud and Deceit and Other Business Torts<\/span>, \u00a7\u200940.80 et seq.\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div>30\u00a0California Forms of Pleading and Practice, Ch. 340,\u00a0<span class=\"SS_it\" data-housestyle=\"EMPHASIS_it\">Libel and Slander<\/span>, \u00a7\u2009340.90\u00a0(Matthew Bender)<\/div>\n<div class=\"SS_Note\">\n<div id=\"TRNotes_n_3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div  class='hr av-sn4cx-f18a00233df31248ca509e8cfa02ed2a hr-default  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock '><span class='hr-inner '><span class=\"hr-inner-style\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\" data-created_by=\"avia_inline_auto\" id=\"style-css-av-ixryx-d50e0c072a16d96a9b1fb82dabe4b0b3\">\n#top .av_textblock_section.av-ixryx-d50e0c072a16d96a9b1fb82dabe4b0b3 .avia_textblock{\nfont-size:22px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-ixryx-d50e0c072a16d96a9b1fb82dabe4b0b3 '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdsourcelawyers.com\/\">CrowdSourceLawyers.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-985","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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