Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-almd-2_06-cv-00198/USCOURTS-almd-2_06-cv-00198-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 890
Nature of Suit: Other Statutory Actions
Cause of Action: 09:0010 Petition to Vacate Arbitration Award

---

Although Campbell styled his initial pleading as a “motion”, the court has 1

construed it as a complaint. Concomitantly, the court construes Regions’ motion to

dismiss as a motion to dismiss the complaint and thus this action.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

NORTHERN DIVISION

THOMAS W. CAMPBELL, III, )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. ) CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:06CV198-VPM

) [WO]

REGIONS BANK, INC. )

)

Defendant. )

ORDER ON MOTION

This case is pending on the court’s consideration of whether it has jurisdiction to

review an arbitrator’s judgment dated 5 December 2005 in an action between the plaintiff

and the defendants. On 1 March 2006, the plaintiff, THOMAS W. CAMPBELL, III

[“Campbell”] filed a Motion to Vacate/Rehearing, challenging the arbitrator’s judgment. 1

Previously, Campbell sought relief in the underlying dispute in the Montgomery County

Circuit Court (See Doc. # 1), but on 9 November 2004, that court granted the defendant’s

Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration by referring the matter to binding arbitration (Doc.

# 1). 

The defendant, REGIONS BANK, INC. [“Regions”], filed a Motion to Dismiss the

action on 8 March 2006 (Doc # 3), and upon reviewing the motion, the court entered an order

directing Campbell to show cause, inter alia, why this action should not be dismissed for

Case 2:06-cv-00198-VPM Document 10 Filed 03/22/06 Page 1 of 4
lack of jurisdiction. Campbell failed to allege any basis for federal jurisdiction, relying

instead on Alabama statutory law. In his response, filed on 17 March 2006, Campbell moved

to withdraw his motion without prejudice.

Upon consideration of Campbell’s response, which the court has construed as a

Motion to Withdraw the complaint and a consent to dismissal of this action without

prejudice, it is ORDERED as follows:

1. Campbell’s Motion to Withdraw without prejudice is GRANTED. The fact

that this court grants the motion without prejudice should not be construed as

an expression of this court’s opinion on whether Campbell may refile his

action in this court hereafter. Indeed, the court has grave doubts about its

jurisdiction to consider or review any of the issues presented to the arbitrator

or the arbitrator’s judgment itself.

2. Regions’ Motion to Dismiss the complaint is DENIED as moot. The court

declines to order sanctions against Campbell, but Campbell is ADVISED to

consider carefully the court’s concerns regarding jurisdiction before re-filing

an action in this court seeking similar relief. If he does re-file an action, and

the court ultimately finds that it lacks jurisdiction or that the action seeks relief

that cannot be granted, the court will not hesitate to impose sanctions upon

Campbell and his attorney.

3. This action is hereby DISMISSED without prejudice.

Case 2:06-cv-00198-VPM Document 10 Filed 03/22/06 Page 2 of 4
DONE this 22 day of March, 2006. nd

/s/ Vanzetta Penn McPherson

VANZETTA PENN MCPHERSON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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