The interim adverse judgment rule bars malicious prosecution actions by establishing probable cause for bringing the action. However, that rule applies only to judgments or rulings on formal dispositive motions, not oral remarks from the bench during the course of trial which are not rulings on any matter then pending for decision. Furthermore, the fraud or perjury exception to the interim adverse judgment rule applied here as plaintiff produced evidence making a prima showing that the testimony on which the trial court’s oral remarks were based was knowingly false.