Opinion ID: 1746059
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Access to the District Court

Text: In its motion attacking the constitutionality of Act 312, M.J. Farms further argues that Act 312 denies it access to the district court to redress grievances. La. Const. art. I, § 22 provides: All courts shall be open, and every person shall have an adequate remedy by due process of law and justice, administered without denial, partiality, or unreasonable delay, for injury to him in his person, property, reputation, or other rights. In Crier v. Whitecloud , this Court examined the historical background of Article I, § 22 of the Louisiana Constitution and concluded that in adopting this constitutional article, the Constitutional Convention did not intend to limit the Legislature's ability to restrict causes of action. Crier v. Whitecloud, 496 So.2d 305 (La. 1986). The access to courts clause does not prohibit legislative restriction of legal remedies. Williams v. Kushner, 524 So.2d 191, 196 (La.App. 4 Cir.1988), amended and affirmed, 549 So.2d 294 (La. 1989). Instead, the clause operates only to provide remedies which are fashioned by the legislature. Id. Although Act 312 changes the remedy available to M.J. Farms in its efforts to obtain surface restoration of its immovable property, we do not find this denies it access to the courts. To the contrary, under the provisions of Act 312 the district court remains an active participant in the entire restoration process. It is the filing of pleadings in the district court making demand for environmental damages that triggers implementation of Act 312. See La.Rev.Stat. § 30:29(B)(1). Furthermore, it is in the district court that it is determined whether environmental damages exists, who caused the damage, and it is the district court that orders the development of a restoration plan. La.Rev.Stat. § 30:29(C)(1). Finally, it is the district court who considers the various restoration plans, including any that the surface owner may choose to submit, determines which one is most feasible, and oversees the implementation of the restoration plan. La.Rev.Stat. § 30:29(C)(5). Accordingly, we find no merit to M.J. Farms' contrary assertion.