March 29, 2018

Defamation actions and common-law malice.

A plaintiff cannot raise an issue of fact as to common-law malice if the defendant's statement was made in his own self-interest, and, thus, protected by a qualified privilege. The fact that the defendant may have harbored ill will toward the plaintiff is immaterial.

Glazier v. Harris, NY Slip Op 02025 (1st Dep't March 22, 2018)

Here is the decision.