{"data":{"id":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-8351","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"42 Pa.C.S. § 8351","heading":"Wrongful use of civil proceedings.","body":"(a) Elements of action.--A person who takes part in the procurement, initiation or continuation of civil proceedings against another is subject to liability to the other for wrongful use of civil proceedings:\n(1) he acts in a grossly negligent manner or without probable cause and primarily for a purpose other than that of securing the proper discovery, joinder of parties or adjudication of the claim in which the proceedings are based; and\n(2) the proceedings have terminated in favor of the person against whom they are brought.\n(b) Arrest or seizure of person or property not required.--The arrest or seizure of the person or property of the plaintiff shall not be a necessary element for an action brought pursuant to this subchapter.","path":["Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE","PART VII CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS","CHAPTER 83 PARTICULAR RIGHTS AND IMMUNITIES","SUBCHAPTER E WRONGFUL USE OF CIVIL PROCEEDINGS"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=42\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=83\u0026sctn=51\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-08-03 (Statute Update stamp, 42 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:33:14Z","sha256":"402d4ca342da32905110d5e9ba6117bcf6634c4e4dce2ab55e94198ce2ff2192","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-8345","next":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-8352"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}