Opinion ID: 2457157
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Cross-appeal: Attorney's fees

Text: The Arkansas Constitution prohibits awards of damages in lawsuits against the State of Arkansas and its institutions. Ark. Const. Art. 5, § 20. If officers and employees of the State of Arkansas act without malice and within the scope of their employment, they are immune from an award of damages in litigation. The chancery court specifically found that none of the officers and employees of UCA acted with malice. Likewise, the actions of UCA's officers and employees fail to rise to such reckless disregard of the rights of another as to constitute the equivalent of ill will. Bland v. Verser, 299 Ark. 490, 774 S.W.2d 124 (1989). We affirm the chancery court's findings on Ms. Denton's cross-appeal. Based upon the facts as found by the chancery court and the law set forth herein, we affirm the chancery court's decision in all respects. Affirmed. NEWBERN, J., concurs. BROWN, J., dissents. ROAF, J., not participating.