Opinion ID: 1821945
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether subsequent changes in the law are to be applied retroactively only to cases on appeal

Text: ¶ 13. The trial court granted summary judgment for the City after finding that while Thompson had substantially complied with the notice provisions of the MTCA, she was required to meet strict compliance notice provisions pursuant to City of Jackson v. Lumpkin, 697 So.2d 1179 (Miss.1997) and Carpenter v. Dawson, 701 So.2d 806 (Miss.1997). Subsequently, we changed the notice provisions under the MTCA from strict compliance to substantial compliance. See Reaves ex rel. Rouse v. Randall, 729 So.2d 1237 (Miss. 1998). We overruled Lumpkin and Carpenter in Carr v. Town of Shubuta, 733 So.2d 261 (Miss.1999). While her case was still pending, Thompson filed a motion for reconsideration of the order granting summary judgment. ¶ 14. As noted in the preceding discussion, Thompson claims that at the time Reaves and Carr were decided, her case was still pending because no final judgment had been entered. Therefore, the new holding should apply retroactively to her case. Alternatively, City argues that changes in law are applied retroactively only to cases on appeal, and since the order granting summary judgment was not on appeal, the new law should not apply retroactively to Thompson's case. ¶ 15. The law is quite clear regarding retroactive application of judicially articulated rulings. Retroactive application is not limited to pending appeals, as stated by City, but also applies to cases awaiting trial. We have held consistently that judicially enunciated rules are applied retroactively. Anderson v. Anderson, 692 So.2d 65, 70 (Miss.1997) (citing Ales v. Ales, 650 So.2d 482, 484 (Miss.1995); Hall v. Hilbun, 466 So.2d 856, 875 (Miss.1985)). These cases were all pending review on appeal when a change in the law occurred, which change was applied retroactively. In Cain v. McKinnon, 552 So.2d 91, 93 (Miss.1989), we stated that a new rule enunciated in a case while Cain was pending was to be enforceable in all actions pending on [that date], and not then final. See also Mullen, 730 So.2d at 12 (citing Griffin v. Tall Timbers Dev., Inc., 681 So.2d 546, 552 (Miss.1996)). ¶ 16. We have clearly held that newly enunciated rules of law are applied retroactively to cases that are pending trial or that are on appeal, and not final at the time of the enunciation. In the case sub judice, the order granting summary judgment was not a final judgment; no final judgment has ever been entered. This case was still pending at the time Thompson filed her motion for reconsideration, therefore, the new standard announced in Reaves and Carr applies retroactively.