Opinion ID: 721381
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Counts I, III & IV

Text: 11 We also affirm the district court's order of summary judgment on Counts I, III, and IV. Although amendment of a complaint should be allowed liberally to ensure that a case is decided on its merits, Chesnut v. St. Louis County, Mo., 656 F.2d 343, 349 (8th Cir.1981), there is no absolute right to amend. Thompson-El v. Jones, 876 F.2d 66, 67 (8th Cir.1989). We review the district court's decision for an abuse of discretion. Zenith Radio Corp. v. Hazeltine Research, Inc., 401 U.S. 321, 330, 91 S.Ct. 795, 802, 28 L.Ed.2d 77 (1971). In this case, Ferguson never asked the court for permission to amend. Instead, in response to the defendants' motion for summary judgment, Ferguson requested that any dismissal be without prejudice to refiling. While the failure to make a formal motion to amend may not be preclusive, see McLaughlin v. Anderson, 962 F.2d 187, 195 (2d Cir.1992) (the lack of a formal motion to amend is not sufficient ground for a district court's dismissal without leave to amend, so long as the plaintiff has made its willingness to amend clear), the plaintiff's clear willingness is not readily apparent from the record. Moreover, permission need not be granted after undue delay or where amendment would be futile. Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182, 83 S.Ct. 227, 230, 9 L.Ed.2d 222 (1962). In light of these considerations, we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion.