Opinion ID: 2364737
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the remedy of prohibition

Text: The Board then sought the same writ from this Court. We granted a preliminary writ of prohibition to examine the issue of sovereign immunity and now make our writ absolute. Because, as explained below, the Board is entitled to the protection of sovereign immunity, it is within this Court's discretion to issue a writ of prohibition. See State ex rel. St. Louis Housing Authority v. Gaertner, 695 S.W.2d 460 (Mo. banc 1985). Where a defendant has the defense of sovereign immunity, prohibition is the appropriate remedy to forbear patently unwarranted and expensive litigation, inconvenience and waste of time and talent. State ex rel. New Liberty Hospital District v. Pratt, 687 S.W.2d 184, 187 (Mo. banc 1985). Where a defendant is clearly entitled to immunity, it is not necessary to wait through a trial and appeal to enforce that protection.