{ "id": 3032158, "name": "CITY of FORT SMITH v. J.D. CARTER, Mary Lois Carter, Lee Hackler and Patricia Hackler, Mortgagees", "name_abbreviation": "City of Fort Smith v. Carter", "decision_date": "2005-11-10", "docket_number": "05-198", "first_page": "100", "last_page": "114", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "364 Ark. 100" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "216 S.W.3d 594" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "84 Ark. App. 256", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark. App.", "case_ids": [ 6139973 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark-app/84/0256-01" ] }, { "cite": "362 Ark. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 3560063 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/362/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "56 Ark. App. 85", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark. App.", "case_ids": [ 6137716 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark-app/56/0085-01" ] }, { "cite": "101 F.3d 1479", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.3d", "case_ids": [ 7644299 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1490" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f3d/101/1479-01" ] }, { "cite": "346 Ark. 449", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1111327 ], "weight": 3, "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/346/0449-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 18-15-601", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "a" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "338 Ark. 487", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 243591 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/338/0487-01" ] }, { "cite": "329 Ark. 302", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 236238 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/329/0302-01" ] }, { "cite": "330 Ark. 451", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 298584 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1997, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/330/0451-01" ] }, { "cite": "344 Ark. 44", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 210150 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/344/0044-01" ] }, { "cite": "353 Ark. 686", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1155516 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/353/0686-01" ] }, { "cite": "889 F.2d 490", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 10529858 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/889/0490-01" ] }, { "cite": "892 F.2d 802", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 10527205 ], "year": 1989, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/892/0802-01" ] }, { "cite": "340 Ark. 460", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1365211 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/340/0460-01" ] }, { "cite": "344 Ark. 500", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 210143 ], "weight": 5, "year": 2001, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/344/0500-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18-15-605", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "weight": 4, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "b" }, { "parenthetical": "b" }, { "parenthetical": "b" }, { "page": "(b)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "295 Ark. 533", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1893795 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/295/0533-01" ] }, { "cite": "208 Ark. 442", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1478784 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1945, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "cumulative acts may provide alternative procedures" }, { "parenthetical": "cumulative acts may provide alternative procedures" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/208/0442-01" ] }, { "cite": "267 Ark. 182", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1719864 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the word \"cumulative,\" as used, is indicative of an addition to existing provisions" }, { "parenthetical": "the word \"cumulative,\" as used, is indicative of an addition to existing provisions" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/267/0182-01" ] }, { "cite": "63 Utah 432", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Utah", "case_ids": [ 8868597 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1924, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "a cumulative remedy by statute is an additional one, and the party may elect between the two" }, { "parenthetical": "a cumulative remedy by statute is an additional one, and the party may elect between the two" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/utah/63/0432-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 Kan. 766", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Kan.", "case_ids": [ 53633 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1959, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the word \"cumulative\" is to be construed as evidencing an intent on the part of the legislature to give any party to an action an absolute right he had not previously possessed under existing statutes" }, { "parenthetical": "the word \"cumulative\" is to be construed as evidencing an intent on the part of the legislature to give any party to an action an absolute right he had not previously possessed under existing statutes" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/kan/185/0766-01" ] }, { "cite": "152 Cal. Rptr. 267", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr.", "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"cumulative,\" as defined by legal lexicographers means \"additional;\" that which is super-added to another thing of the same character and not substituted for it" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "88 Cal. App. 3d 985", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2046065 ], "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "\"cumulative,\" as defined by legal lexicographers means \"additional;\" that which is super-added to another thing of the same character and not substituted for it" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/cal-app-3d/88/0985-01" ] }, { "cite": "489 N.E.2d 1374", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the sole purpose of a cumulative provision is to preserve other legal remedies so that a plaintiff may choose between them" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "111 Ill. 2d 350", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3167435 ], "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the sole purpose of a cumulative provision is to preserve other legal remedies so that a plaintiff may choose between them" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/111/0350-01" ] }, { "cite": "794 P.2d 754", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.2d", "case_ids": [ 10384002 ], "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "the term \"cumulative\" denotes additional remedial provisions" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/p2d/794/0754-01" ] }, { "cite": "363 Ark. 42", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 3558236 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2005, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/363/0042-01" ] }, { "cite": "342 Ark. 591", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1342436 ], "weight": 2, "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/ark/342/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18", "category": "laws:leg_statute", "reporter": "Ark. Code Ann.", "opinion_index": 1 } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 1065, "char_count": 25446, "ocr_confidence": 0.765, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.0131788829398376e-07, "percentile": 0.9062684735673778 }, "sha256": "a03c66b1abf6cb522f991926583cb4e782ed75151712e17e7f0d99d9073984c9", "simhash": "1:3b59bd93e85d473c", "word_count": 4205 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:20:15.872106+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Brown, J., dissents." ], "parties": [ "CITY of FORT SMITH v. J.D. CARTER, Mary Lois Carter, Lee Hackler and Patricia Hackler, Mortgagees" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Jim Hannah, Chief Justice.\nAppellant, the City of Fort Smith, brings this appeal from the Crawford County Circuit Court\u2019s award of attorney\u2019s fees in an eminent domain action. The City argues that the circuit court misinterpreted and misapplied Rule 11 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure in awarding attorney\u2019s fees. Appellees and cross-appellants, J.D. Carter, Mary Lois Carter, Lee. Hackler, and Patricia Hackler appeal the circuit court\u2019s finding that Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18-15-605 (b) (Repl. 2003) does not entitle them to an award of attorney\u2019s fees because the statute does not apply to municipal corporations. We reverse on direct appeal and reverse and remand on cross-appeal. Our jurisdiction is pursuant to Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 1-2(b)(1).\nFacts\nThe Lake Fort Smith Expansion Project consists of Lake Shepherd Springs Dam and the construction of a larger dam on the current Lake Fort Smith to allow water to pool over both areas to create a large reservoir that will provide public water for communities in Sebastian and Crawford Counties. The City, a municipal corporation, filed an Application for Condemnation, seeking to acquire by eminent domain real property owned by the Carters.\nIn conjunction with its application, the City deposited the sum of $14,000 with the clerk of the circuit court as the estimated just compensation for the taking of the subject property. The circuit court subsequently entered an Order of Possession in favor of the City.\nThe parties appeared for trial on the morning of May 10, 2004, for the determination of the amount of just compensation due the Carters. Prior to commencement of trial, the parties began settlement negotiations while in the chambers of the circuit court. After an agreement was reached, counsel for each of the parties announced the terms of the agreement in open court. Counsel for the City informed the circuit court that the settlement agreement was contingent upon the approval of the City\u2019s Board of Directors.\nThe Board subsequently voted to reject the terms of the settlement. The Hacklers then filed a Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement, which the circuit court denied.\nOn June 22, 2004, a jury trial commenced on the issue of just compensation for the property. The jury affixed the amount due the Carters at $30,000. Following the trial, both the Carters and the Hacklers filed motions for an award of attorney\u2019s fees, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18-15-605 (b). The circuit court denied the requests for attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to the statute; however, the circuit court awarded partial attorney\u2019s fees to the Carters and the Hacklers pursuant to Rule 11 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure, based upon the increased cost and delay that resulted from the Board\u2019s rejection of the settlement.\nThe City filed an appeal of the circuit court\u2019s order awarding attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to Rule 11. The Carters and the Hacklers filed a cross-appeal of the circuit court\u2019s denial of attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18-15-605 (b).\nAppeal\nThe City argues that the circuit court erred in awarding attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to Rule 11 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. In its order awarding attorney\u2019s fees, the circuit court made the following findings:\n4. That counsel for the City of Fort Smith represented to the Carters and Hacklers and to the Court that they had authority to enter into the settlement agreement on the morning of the May 10, 2004, jury trial. The Court does not recall any prior case where a municipal corporation did not honor a settlement agreement made by its own attorneys.\n5. That the Court finds that the City of Fort Smith\u2019s rejection of the terms of a setdement agreement negotiated and entered into by its own attorneys unnecessarily caused a delay and increased expenses for both the Carters and Hacklers. That because the attorneys for the City of Fort Smith represented to the Court that they had authority to enter into the settlement agreement, when in fact they did not, the Court finds that Rule 11 of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure was violated and hereby sanctions the Plaintiff, the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, as follows: the City of Fort Smith, Arkansas, shall pay a partial attorney\u2019s fee of Four Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($4,500.00) to the separate Defendant Carters and a partial fee of Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) to the separate Defendant Hacklers.\nThe City argues that sanctions imposed pursuant to Rule 11 are limited to those instances where a signed pleading, motion, or other paper has been presented to the court for an improper purpose, and that in this case, there was no finding that any of the pleadings filed by the City caused a delay in the litigation or increased costs to either party. Appellees conceded at oral argument that the sanctioned conduct was not based upon the filing of any pleading for an improper purpose. However, they argue that pursuant to Rule 11, the circuit court has the authority to assess penalties for oral representations made by counsel that cause delay or increase costs to the parties.\nThis court has not addressed the issue of whether Rule 11 sanctions may be imposed when the sanctioned conduct does not involve a pleading, motion, or other paper. We construe court rules using the same means and canons of construction used to interpret statutes. Moon v. Citty, 344 Ark. 500, 42 S.W.3d 459 (2001). The first rule in considering the meaning and effect of the statute is to construe it just as it reads, giving the words their ordinary and usually accepted meaning in common language. Id. When the language of a statute is plain and unambiguous, there is no need to resort to rules of statutory construction. Id. In other words, if the language of the statute is plain and unambiguous, the analysis need go no further. Id.\nRule 11 provides in pertinent part:\nSigning of pleadings, motions, and other papers; sanctions.\n(a) ... The signature of an attorney or p&rty constitutes a certificate by him that he has read the pleading, motion, or other paper; that to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry it is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law, and that it is not interposed for any improper purpose, such as to harass or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is not signed, it shall be stricken unless it is signed promptly after the omission is called to the attention of the pleader or movant. If a pleading, motion, or other paper is signed in violation of this rule, the court, upon motion or upon its own initiative, shall impose upon the person who signed it, a represented party, or both, an appropriate sanction, which may include an order to pay to the other party or parties the amount of the reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading, motion, or other paper, including a reasonable attorney\u2019s fee.\n(Emphasis added.)\nRule 11(a) is \u201csubstantially identical\u201d to Federal Rule 11, as amended in 1983. See Ark. R. Civ. P.11, Addition to Reporter\u2019s Notes, 1986 Amendment. Based upon the similarities of our rules with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, we consider the interpretation of these rules by federal courts to be of a significant precedential value. Smith v. Washington, 340 Ark. 460, 10 S.W.3d 877 (2000). Federal courts have held that Rule 11, as amended in 1983, does not apply to oral representations or testimony made before the court. See, e.g., Business Guides, Inc. v. Chromatic Commc\u2019ns Enter., Inc., 892 F.2d 802 (9th Cir. 1989); Schering Corp. v. Vitarine Pharm., Inc., 889 F.2d 490 (3rd Cir. 1989).\nThe plain language of Rule 11 provides that conduct is sanctionable when an attorney signs a pleading, motion, or other paper for an improper purpose. Here, the record reveals that the circuit court did not impose sanctions based upon the filing of a pleading for an improper purpose. Rather, the circuit court imposed sanctions based upon a finding that counsel for the City orally represented in court \u201cthat they had authority to enter into the settlement agreement, when in fact they did not... .\u201d We hold that oral representations cannot be the basis for Rule 11 sanctions. Therefore, we reverse the circuit court\u2019s award of attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to Rule 11.\nCross-Appeal\nAppellees argue that the circuit court improperly denied their motion for award of attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18-15-605(b). This court\u2019s review of the circuit court\u2019s denial of the appellees\u2019 motion for attorney\u2019s fees involves a matter of statutory interpretation. We review issues of statutory construction de novo because it is for this court to decide what a statute means. City of Maumelle v. Jeffrey Sand Co., 353 Ark. 686, 120 S.W.3d 55 (2003). When reviewing issues of statutory interpretation, we are mindful that the first rule in considering the meaning and effect of a statute is to construe it just as it reads, giving the words their ordinary and usually accepted meaning in common language. Yamaha Motor Corp. v. Richard\u2019s Honda Yamaha, 344 Ark. 44, 38 S.W.3d 356 (2001). When the language of the statute is plain and unambiguous, there is no need to resort to rules of statutory construction. Burcham v. City of Van Buren, 330 Ark. 451, 954 S.W.2d 266 (1997). A statute is ambiguous only where it is open to two or more constructions, or where it is of such obscure or doubtful meaning that reasonable minds might disagree or be uncertain as to its meaning. ACW, Inc. v. Weiss, 329 Ark. 302, 947 S.W.2d 770 (1997). When a statute is clear, however, it is given its plain meaning, and this court will not search for legislative intent; rather, that intent must be gathered from the plain meaning of the language used. Ford v. Keith, 338 Ark. 487, 996 S.W.2d 20 (1999). This court is very hesitant to interpret a legislative act in a manner contrary to its express language, unless it is clear that a drafting error or omission has circumvented legislative intent. Id.\nSection 18-15-605(b) provides:\nIn the case of application for orders of immediate possession by the corporation or water association, if the amount awarded by the jury exceeds the amount deposited by the corporation or water association in an amount which is more than twenty percent (20%) of the sum deposited, the landowner shall be entitled to recover the reasonable attorney\u2019s fees and costs.\n(Emphasis added.)\nAppellees contend that they are entitled to attorney\u2019s fees because the term \u201ccorporation\u201d in \u00a7 18-15-605(b) refers to all corporations, including municipal corporations. They also point out that throughout Subchapter 6, multiple references are made to \u201ca corporation\u201d and \u201cthe corporation,\u201d and such references are clearly a collective generic term applying to municipal corporations or any other corporation, including not-for-profit corporations and water associations that supply water. See, e.g., Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7\u00a7 18-15-601 (a) and (b) (Repl. 2003).\nThe City contends that it proceeded under subchapter 4, making \u00a7 18-15-605 (b) inapplicable. Although the City argues that subchapter 6 does not apply, we note that subchapter 4, specifically \u00a7 18-15-401(c) (Repl. 2003), states that subchapter 4 is cumulative to any other laws granting municipal corporations rights of eminent domain. The dissent insists that \u201cthe only commonsensical reading of \u2018cumulative\u2019 is that the 1957 act (subchapter 4), which set up the new procedure, would be an alternative procedure to the 1895 act (subchapter six).\u201d We disagree. Another interpretation of \u00a7 18-15-401 (c) is that the requirements of subchapter 4 include and are subject to the requirements of subchapter 6. Eminent-domain statutes are construed in favor of the landowner. Pfeifer v. City of Little Rock, 346 Ark. 449, 57 S.W.3d 714 (2001). Because there is more than one interpretation of the term \u201ccumulative,\u201d the statute should be construed in favor of the landowner in order to determine which interpretation should be used. Here, we construe the term \u201ccumulative\u201d as it is used in \u00a7 18-15-401(c) to mean that subchapter 4 is subject to the requirements of subchapter 6, including the grant of attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to \u00a7 18-15-605(b).\nStill, the City argues that even if subchapter 6 is applicable, the plain language of \u00a7 18-15-605 (b) indicates that the attorney\u2019s fees and costs provision applies only to corporations and water associations, and that the provision does not apply to municipal corporations. In light of the varying uses of the word \u201ccorporation\u201d in subchapter 6, we cannot agree with the City\u2019s contention that it is clear from the plain language of the statute that the General Assembly did not intend for the attorney\u2019s fees and costs provision to apply to municipal corporations. The statute is ambiguous; therefore, we must look to legislative intent.\nThe right of municipalities to exercise the right of eminent domain in operation of waterworks and associated operations is granted in subchapters 3, 4, and 6 of title 18, chapter 15 of the Arkansas Code. The redundancy of three separate grants of what appears to be the same power in and of itself gives rise to uncertainty and confusion. In viewing the legislative history of subchapter 6, we note that the term \u201cmunicipal corporations\u201d has appeared in the opening paragraph of the first section of this statute since it was enacted in 1895. See Acts 1895, No. 126, \u00a7 1. Subchapter 3, which also grants a right of eminent domain, was enacted in 1875. See Acts 1875, No.l, \u00a7 74. Subchapter 4, which, again, grants a right of eminent domain, was enacted in 1957. See Acts 1957, No. 269, \u00a7 2.\nIt is not possible by reading the statutes or by looking to the acts to determine whether \u00a7 18 \u2014 15\u2014605 (b), as amended by Act 1207 in 1995, was to be limited to non-municipal corporations. It appears that this patchwork of statutes on eminent domain and waterworks resulted from various enactments and amendments made in response to differing needs that arose over the years and to various federal programs.\nWe note once again that eminent-domain statutes are construed in favor of the landowner. See, e.g., Pfeifer, supra. In light of this and the uncertainty in the statutes, we hold that the circuit court erred in finding that \u00a7 18 \u2014 15\u2014605(b) was not applicable. The General Assembly may wish to address and clarify the statutes on eminent domain as exercised by municipalities and others with respect to water projects.\nWe hereby reverse and remand this case to the circuit court to determine the amount of attorney\u2019s fees due the Carters pursuant to \u00a7 18-15-605 (b). At this time, we are unable to determine whether attorney\u2019s fees should be awarded to the Hacklers pursuant to \u00a7 18-15-605 (b) because the circuit court made no finding as to whether the Hacklers, as holders of a mortgage on the property, are landowners for the purposes of the statute. On remand, the circuit court shall determine whether the Hacklers are entitled to attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to the statute.\nReversed on direct appeal; reversed and remanded on cross-appeal.\nBrown, J., dissents.\nThe Hacklers sold the subject twenty-acre tract of real property to the Carters for the sum of $60,000 on April 12,2001. On that same date, the Hacklers took back a mortgage from the Carters to secure the remaining balance due to them of $49,425.\nIn 1993, the federal rule was amended to permit sanctions based upon the \u201cpresenting\u201d of a paper \u2014 rather than limiting sanctions to those papers that bear an attorney\u2019s signature \u2014 and defining \u201cpresenting\u201d broadly as \u201csigning, filing, submitting, or later advocating.\u201d The Advisory Committee explained that the rule applies only to assertions contained in papers filed with or submitted to the court. Thus, to be sanctionable under the rule as amended in 1993, an oral representation must meet two requirements: \u201c(1) it must violate the certification requirement of Rule 11(b), e.g., by advocating baseless allegations, and (2) it must relate directly to a matter addressed in the underlying paper and be in furtherance of that matter to constitute advocating within the meaning of subsection (b).\u201d O\u2019Brien v. Alexander, 101 F.3d 1479, 1490 (2d Cir. 1996). The Arkansas rule has not been amended to reflect the 1993 federal amendment and continues to apply to signed pleadings, motions, and other papers.\nBlack\u2019s Law Dictionary does not define \u201ccumulative\u201d as a single term, instead defining it in conjunction with other terms. For example, \u201ccumulative remedy\u201d is defined as \u201ca remedy available to a party in addition to another remedy that still remains in force.\u201d Black\u2019s Law Dictionary 1320 (8th ed. 2004). \u201cCumulative\u201d is defined in Webster\u2019s Third New International Dictionary as \u201cincreasing in size or strength by successive additions without corresponding loss.\u201d Id. at 553 (2002). \u201cCumulate,\u201d as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language means \u201cto combine into one unit, merge.\u201d Id. at 443 (4th ed. 2000). Suffice it to say that the term \u201ccumulative\u201d is subject to more than one reasonable interpretation.\nAppellees cite this court to City of Ozark v. Nichols, 56 Ark. App. 85, 937 S.W.2d 686 (1997), where the court of appeals affirmed the trial court\u2019s award of attorney\u2019s fees in accordance with \u00a7 18-15-605(b). In that case, the City of Ozark sought to condemn certain real property located in Franklin County for purposes related to its role as a regional water supplier. After a jury trial on the issue of compensation, appellees were awarded $28,500 for the property. Appellees then requested, and were awarded, attorney\u2019s fees pursuant to \u00a7 18-15-605(b). The City appealed, arguing that \u00a7 18-15-605(b) was not in effect at the time the order of possession was entered. The court of appeals held that the amended statute, which made provisions for attorney\u2019s fees in certain situations, was procedural in nature, and therefore applied retroactively.\nAppellees state that Nichols makes clear that the statute governs damages for all water companies, including municipal corporations, because the court of appeals did not limit the statute to any particular type of water company. The City argues that Nichols does not answer the question of whether the statute applies to municipal corporations; rather, the court was asked only to determine whether the statute could be applied retroactively The issue that is before this court now \u2014 whether \u00a7 18-15-605(b) applies to municipal corporations \u2014 was not before the court of appeals in Nichols; therefore, we cannot say that Nichols is on point. On the other hand, the General Assembly is presumed to be familiar with the appellate courts\u2019 interpretation of a statute, and if it disagrees, it can amend the statute. See, e.g., Brewer v. Poole, 362 Ark. 1, 207 S.W.3d 458 (2005). Without such amendments, however, the appellate courts\u2019 interpretation of the statute remains the law. See, e.g., Fordyce Concrete v. Garth, 84 Ark. App. 256, 139 S.W.3d 154 (2003). In Nichols, the court of appeals\u2019 interpretation of the statute affirmed the award of attorney\u2019s fees, pursuant to \u00a7 18-15-605(b), and those attorney\u2019s fees were assessed against a municipal corporation, the City of Ozark.", "type": "majority", "author": "Jim Hannah, Chief Justice." }, { "text": "Robert L. Brown, Justice,\ndissenting. I agree that Rule 11 sanctions are not appropriate in this case. I must, however, dissent from the majority\u2019s tortured reasoning. What the majority has done is apply a 1995 attorney\u2019s fee statute which amended an 1895 act (subchapter six) to a separate 1957 act, which set up a new procedure (subchapter four). The effect of this decision will be to saddle all municipalities with attorney\u2019s fees even when the cities proceed under procedures in different subchapters where attorney\u2019s fees are not contemplated. That is not right and defies legislative intent. Plus, it is unfair to those municipalities which were not put on notice that the subchapter six\u2019s attorney\u2019s fees statute would apply to a subchapter four procedure. For these reasons, I respectfully dissent.\nThe majority\u2019s reason for applying subchapter six attorney\u2019s fees to a subchapter four procedure is based on one word, \u201ccumulative,\u201d which is found in the 1957 act. Part of that act reads, \u201c(c) This subchapter shall be cumulative to any laws of eminent domain in favor of municipalities operating municipal waterworks systems.\u201d Ark. Code Ann. \u00a7 18 \u2014 15\u2014401 (c) (Repl. 2003) (emphasis added).\nIt should be emphasized, as an initial matter, that the appellees do not develop the ambiguity-and-cumulative argument relied on by the majority to reverse this case. Indeed, it is the City of Fort Smith that relies on \u00a7 18-15-401(c) and the cumulative language to support its decision to proceed under the alternative eminent domain procedure set out in subchapter four. This court has said we do not reverse on an argument not developed. See, e.g., Ozark Gas Pipeline Corp. v. Arkansas Pub. Serv. Comm\u2019n, 342 Ark. 591, 29 S.W.3d 730 (2000). We should not do so in this case.\nThat being said, the only commonsensical reading of \u201ccumulative\u201d is that the 1957 act (subchapter four), which set up the new procedure, would be an alternative procedure to the 1895 act (subchapter six). It makes no sense to read \u201ccumulative\u201d as combining the alternative procedures in subchapter four and subchapter six into one unit. Why? Because the General Assembly did not amend the 1895 act in 1957 to combine the two procedures but, rather, created an alternative eminent domain procedure with subchapter four. We do not give an absurd interpretation to legislative enactments. See Waste Mgmt. & Transp. Ins. Co. v. Estridge, 363 Ark. 42, 210 S.W.3d 869 (2005). But that is precisely what the majority has done by stating that \u201csubchapter 4 is subject to the requirements of subchapter 6\u201d in construing \u201ccumulative.\u201d\nWhat confirms my point is that every foreign jurisdiction that has construed \u201ccumulative\u201d in a comparable context has interpreted it to mean a new or additional remedy, not a combination of the two remedies. See, e.g., Kennedy v. Henderson, 794 P.2d 754 (Okla. 1990) (the term \u201ccumulative\u201d denotes additional remedial provisions); Harris v. Manor Healthcare Corp., 111 Ill. 2d 350, 489 N.E.2d 1374 (1986) (the sole purpose of a cumulative provision is to preserve other legal remedies so that a plaintiff may choose between them); Bonn v. California State University, 88 Cal. App. 3d 985, 152 Cal. Rptr. 267 (1979) (\u201ccumulative,\u201d as defined by legal lexicographers means \u201cadditional;\u201d that which is super-added to another thing of the same character and not substituted for it); Rodriguez v. Cascade Laundry Co., 185 Kan. 766, 347 P.2d 455 (1959) (the word \u201ccumulative\u201d is to be construed as evidencing an intent on the part of the legislature to give any party to an action an absolute right he had not previously possessed under existing statutes); State Ex Rel. Whitmore v. Barboglio, 63 Utah 432, 226 P. 904 (1924) (a cumulative remedy by statute is an additional one, and the party may elect between the two).\nArkansas has followed suit and has interpreted \u201ccumulative\u201d to mean that an alternative procedure has been enacted. See BWH, Inc. v. Metropolitan Nat\u2019l Bank, 267 Ark. 182, 590 S.W.2d 247 (1979) (the word \u201ccumulative,\u201d as used, is indicative of an addition to existing provisions); City of Helena v. Arkansas Utilities Co., 208 Ark. 442, 186 S.W.2d 783 (1945) (cumulative acts may provide alternative procedures).\nIn short, there is no jurisprudence that supports the majority\u2019s construction of \u201ccumulative\u201d to mean a combination of the 1957 act with the 1895 act so that an amendment to subchapter six could also amend subchapter four. That is not how legislation works. If the General Assembly had intended that, it could have easily amended subchapter four. It did not do so. Moreover, the award of attorney\u2019s fees by statute must be express. See, e.g., Damron v. University Estates, Phase II, Inc., 295 Ark. 533, 750 S.W.2d 402 (1988). This is especially so when attorney\u2019s fees had never before been allowed against municipalities for waterworks projects. Here, there is no amendment to subchapter four.\nThe circuit judge obviously knew that an award of attorney\u2019s fees in a subchapter four proceeding was wrong under the dubious rationale that the majority presents. That is why he did not award attorney\u2019s fees and costs using \u00a7 18-15-605(b). Quite simply, he undoubtedly understood that a later amendment for attorney\u2019s fees to one statute did not automatically amend a second, discrete statute.\nI would affirm the trial court on this point and for that reason, I respectfully dissent.\nI recognize that City of Fort Smith also argues that \u00a7 18-15-605(b) does not apply to municipalities but only to nonprofit corporations and water associations. The City cites Howard Brill\u2019s Law of Damages in support of its argument.", "type": "dissent", "author": "Robert L. Brown, Justice," } ], "attorneys": [ "Daily & Woods, P.L.L.C., by: Robert R. Briggs, for appellant.", "Gant & Barlow LLP, by: R. Derek Barlow, for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CITY of FORT SMITH v. J.D. CARTER, Mary Lois Carter, Lee Hackler and Patricia Hackler, Mortgagees\n05-198\n216 S.W.3d 594\nSupreme Court of Arkansas\nOpinion delivered November 10, 2005\n[Rehearing denied December 15, 2005.]\nDaily & Woods, P.L.L.C., by: Robert R. Briggs, for appellant.\nGant & Barlow LLP, by: R. Derek Barlow, for appellees.\nBROWN,J., would grant rehearing." }, "file_name": "0100-01", "first_page_order": 126, "last_page_order": 140 }