The amounts used by plaintiff in this regard were the appraisal values, without adding on the fifteen percent settlement component. Defendant moved to require plaintiff to amend its complaints to include the settlement amounts in the estimates of just compensation for each parcel. We granted leave to appeal that decision. This Court will reverse a trial court's decision on a motion to amend a complaint only where the trial court abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion occurs when an unprejudiced person, considering the facts upon which the trial court acted, would say that there was no justification or excuse for the trial court's ruling.
Statutory interpretation is a question of law subject to de novo review on appeal.
The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the Legislature in enacting a provision. Statutory language should be construed reasonably, keeping in mind the purpose of the statute. The first criterion in determining intent is the specific language of the statute. If the statutory language is clear and unambiguous, judicial construction is not permitted, and courts must apply the statute as written. However, if reasonable minds can differ regarding the meaning of a statute, judicial construction is appropriate.