3rd Circuit Upholds Bar to Litigation Over Litigation

An arbitrator cannot sue a lawyer for wrongful use of civil proceedings, the 3rd Circuit has ruled, even if the lawyer allegedly lodged false accusations in court papers to have the arbitrator disqualified, because lawyers enjoy an "absolute privilege" that immunizes them from liability over any communication made in the course of litigation. The decision upholds the dismissal of a suit brought by a former federal magistrate judge who now works as a private arbitrator.