Court Opinion

ID: 9637017
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 14:52:58.874766+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:09:52.154216
License: Public Domain

Annabelle Clinton Imber, Justice, dissenting.I believe this court lacks jurisdiction to consider the instant appeal. It is axiomatic in Arkansas law that an appeal may only be taken from a final judgment. Ark. R. App. P. — Civ. 2(a) (2003); Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co. of Arkansas, Inc. v. Running M Farms, Inc., 348 Ark. 313, 72 S.W.3d 502 (2002). A final judgment is one that dismisses the parties from the court, discharges them from the action, or concludes their rights to the subject matter in controversy. Fisher v. Chavers, 351 Ark. 318, 92 S.W.3d 30 (2002). Nonetheless, the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure provide a method for a trial court to certify a judgment that does not dispose all parties or claims as final for appeal purposes. See Ark. R. Civ. P. 54(b) (2003). This case was submitted to the court pursuant to Rule 54(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure that allows a trial court to “direct the entry of a final judgment as to one or more but fewer that all of the claims or .parties only upon an express determination, supported by specific factual findings, that there is no just reason for delay and upon an express direction for the entry of judgment.” Ark. R. Civ. P. 54(b) (2003). Compliance with Rule 54(b) is jurisdictional, and this court is obliged to raise the issue even if parties to the appeal do not. Moses v. Hanna’s Candle Co., 303 Ark. 101, 110 S.W.3d 725 (2003). To satisfy the mandates of Rule 54(b), the trial court must execute the following certificate: Rule 54(b) Certificate With respect to the issues determined by the above judgment, the court finds: [Set forth specific factual findings.] Upon the basis of the foregoing factual findings, the court hereby certifies, in accordance with Rule 54(b)(1), Ark.R.Civ.P., that it has determined that there is no just reason for delay of the entry of a final judgment and that the court has and does hereby direct that the judgment shall be a final judgment for all purposes. Certified this_day of_,_. Judge See Ark. R. Civ. P. 54(b)(1) (2003). We have previously held that an appeal taken from a judgment without the proper certification from the trial court will be dismissed without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction. City of Corning v. Cochran, 350 Ark. 12, 84 S.W.3d 439 (2002). Moreover, the trial court’s determination that there is “no just reason for delay” must factually set forth reasons explaining why a hardship or injustice would result if an appeal is not permitted. See Ark. R. Civ P. 54(b) (2003); Franklin v. Osca, Inc., 308 Ark. 409, 825 S.W.2d 812 (1992). In the instant case, the trial court made its 54(b) certification in the January 7, 2002 order as follows: The Court finds that the matters adjudicated through the Order and Judgment set forth hereinabove shall constitute a final order of this Court. The Court finds that, pursuant to A.R.C.P. 54(b), there is no just reason for delay and that judgment for the amount set forth in Paragraph 4 is directed to be entered through the immediate filing of this Order and Judgment of record. The trial court neither issued the proper certificate nor set forth factual findings in support ofits decision to certify pursuant to rule 54(b)'. The trial court’s attempt to certify this order pursuant to Rule 54(b) is fatally flawed. See, e.g., Bank of Arkansas, N.A. v. First Union Nat’l Bank, 342 Ark. 705, 30 S.W.3d 110, (2000) (explaining that merely tracking the language of Rule 54(b) is insufficient). Counsel in fact recognized the obvious deficiency in the order’s 54(b) certification, and submitted a proposed order to the trial court with the following certificate: Rule 54(b) Certificate With respect to the issues determined by the above judgment, the court finds: A. That the determinations by this Court that are confirmed by this order are all of the principal issues that exist at this time. There may be other properties or issues to be determined at a later date, but such property or other issues will be determined based on the rule enunciated by the Court in this Order. The Court may be call upon to determine those other property and other issues at a later date, however, as of the date hereof, the principal issues are determined, and there is no just reason for delay of the entry of the final judgment. Upon the basis of the foregoing factual findings, the court hereby certifies, in accordance with Rule 54(b)(1), Ark.R.Civ.P., that it has determined that there is no just reason for delay of the entry of a final judgment and that the court has and does hereby direct that the judgment shall be a final judgment for all purposes. Certified this_day of January, 2002. Judge Lawrence Dawson Date: _ The trial court, however, refused to issue a corrected order; instead, the court concluded in a letter sent to counsel that “[t]he order of January 2, 2002, [filed January 7, 2002] is an appealable order.” I believe that the trial court’s determination that its 54(b) certification complied with the rule is clearly erroneous. Absent the required certification, the action is not terminated and the trial court’s order is subject to revision at any time before entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities of all of the parties. Ark. R. Civ. P. 54(b)(2) (2003). Without a proper Rule 54(b) certification, this court lacks jurisdiction to entertain this appeal. Moses v. Hanna’s Candle Co., 353 Ark. 101, 110 S.W.3d 725 (2003). Because I would dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction, I must respectfully dissent. Brown, J., joins.