Opinion ID: 6111094
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Doctrine of Sovereign Immunity

Text: Article five, section 20 of the Arkansas Constitution provides that [t]he State of Arkansas shall never be made a defendant in any of her courts. In determining whether the doctrine of sovereign immunity applies, this court must decide whether a judgment for the plaintiff will either operate to control the action of the State or subject it to liability. Kelley v. Johnson , 2016 Ark. 268 , 496 S.W.3d 346 . If so, the suit is one against the State and is barred. Id. , 496 S.W.3d 346 . We have recognized certain occasions in which the State may be a defendant-for example, when the State is the moving party seeking specific relief; when the state agency is acting illegally, unconstitutionally, or a state-agency officer refuses to do a purely ministerial action required by statute; and when the State fails to assert the defense of sovereign immunity. See, e.g. , Ark. State Police Ret. Sys. v. Sligh , 2017 Ark. 109 , at 8-9, 516 S.W.3d 241 , 246.