Opinion ID: 1634185
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: First Amended Original Complaint

Text: Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a) provides in part: ... a party may amend his pleadings at any time without leave of the court. Where, however, upon motion of an opposing party, the court determines that prejudice would result or the disposition of the cause would be unduly delayed because of the filing of an amendment, the court may strike such amended pleading or grant a continuance of the proceeding. This rule vests broad discretion in the trial court and the exercise of that discretion will be sustained unless it is manifestly abused. Wingfield v. Page, 278 Ark. 276, 644 S.W.2d 940 (1983). Further, the amendment of a pleading relates back to the date of the original pleading where the requirements of ARCP Rule 15(c) are satisfied. Southwestern Bell Tel. Co. v. Blastech, Inc., 313 Ark. 202, 852 S.W.2d 813 (1993). The appellant contends in the case before us that the defendants failed to show prejudice. However, the statute of limitations bars the claim in the First Amended Original Complaint and allowing the amendment would cause undue delay. There is good authority that trial judges may properly deny leave to amend if the proposed changes would not save the action. Humphreys v. Roche Biomedical Labs, Inc., 990 F.2d 1078 (8th Cir.1993). In Humphreys , the court found the complaint, even if amended, would still be time-barred; therefore, there was no abuse of discretion in denying the motion to amend. Further, one seeking reversal on the basis of a denial of a motion to amend pleadings must show a manifest abuse of discretion. See Wingfield v. Page, supra . No such abuse has been shown to exist in this case. AFFIRMED. GLAZE, J., not participating.