without being hampered by fear of defamation suits.” Houpe v. City of Statesville, 128 N.C. App. 334, 346, 497 S.E.2d 82, 90 (internal citations omitted), disc. review denied, 348 N.C. 72, 505 S.E.2d 871 (1998). In deciding whether a statement is absolutely privileged, a court must determine (1) whether the statement was made in the course of a judicial proceeding; and (2) whether it was sufficiently relevant to that proceeding. Harris v. NCNB Nat’l Bank of N.C., 85 N.C. App. 669, 672, 355 S.E.2d 838, 841 (1987). These issues are questions of law to be decided by the court. Scott v. Statesville Plywood & Veneer Co., 240 N.C. 73, 76, 81 S.E.2d 146, 149 (1954) (“the question of relevancy or pertinency is a question of law for the courts”); Harris, 85 N.C. App. at 674, 355 S.E.2d at 842 (<HOLDING>). Statements made in a deposition are
holding that absolute privilege applies to proposed but unfiled complaint recognizing privilege holding that privilege applies in similar factual circumstances recognizing an absolute privilege for police records in a habeas corpus action holding that absolute immunity applies to claims of perjured testimony