Opinion ID: 1622222
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: did the circuit judge err in denying the plaintiffs' motion to amend their pleadings.

Text: ¶ 11. Lane claims that she had a right to amend her complaint within 30 days after the first dismissal. Citing Miss. R. Civ. P. 15(a), she argues that the trial judge improperly denied this right. At the time of the trial court's decision, Rule 15(a) stated, in part: On sustaining a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), or for judgment on the pleadings, pursuant to Rule 12(c), thirty days leave to amend shall be granted, provided matters outside the pleadings are not presented at the hearing on the motion. Otherwise a party may amend his pleading only by leave of court or upon written consent of the adverse party; leave shall be freely given when justice so requires. Miss. R. Civ. P. 15(a). The Court agrees, but notes that on April 17, 2003, Rule 15(a) was amended by replacing thirty days leave to amend shall be granted with leave to amend shall be granted when justice so requires upon conditions and within time as determined by the court. ¶ 12. Recently, this issue was considered in Poindexter v. Southern United Fire Ins. Co., 838 So.2d 964 (Miss.2003). Writing for a plurality of the Court, Justice Cobb noted that, unlike the federal rule, our Rule 15(a) at that time provided an absolute right to amend. Id. at 970. The plurality concluded that a denial of such right was an abuse of discretion. Id. We adopt this view today. Therefore, in accordance with a plain reading of the rule, the Court rejects the futility exception to the former absolute right to amend. See Sligh v. First Nat'l Bank of Holmes County, 704 So.2d 1020, 1024 (Miss.1997). ¶ 13. In the instant case, following dismissal, Lane was entitled to 30 days leave to amend. However, by January 31, 2001, Lane had yet to file an amended complaint and when requested by the trial judge, was unable to submit a copy to the court. The right to amend was automatic, and there is no need to petition the court for thirty days leave. Sligh v. First Nat'l Bank of Holmes County, 704 So.2d at 1024. Nevertheless, because she failed to exercise her right, the decision of trial court is affirmed.