Ammar I. v. Dept. of Children & Families

Summary

The court held that the litigation privilege bars the plaintiff’s timely religious-discrimination allegations based on the Department’s statements and conduct during the termination-of-parental-rights trial and related appeal. The claim challenged conduct within a properly commenced proceeding rather than the improper purpose for commencing that proceeding, and other remedies were available. The court nevertheless reversed in part because the lower courts’ handling of the remand prematurely prevented review of the separate determination that the remaining allegations were untimely.