Loading chat...
GA SB368
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/7/2014
Primary Sponsor
Charlie Bethel
Click for details
AI Summary
- Amends Georgia Code Section 9-11-41 to change the deadline for a plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss a case by written notice, replacing the current cutoff of "before the first witness is sworn" with "before entry of a pretrial order or the filing of a responsive pleading to a motion for summary judgment, whichever first occurs"
- Adds a new restriction prohibiting courts from allowing a plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss a case if such dismissal would cause prejudice to any defendant
- Effectively narrows the window for voluntary dismissal by moving the cutoff to an earlier stage of litigation, while also introducing a prejudice-based safeguard for defendants
- Sponsored by Senators Bethel (54th), Ginn (47th), Gooch (51st), Hill (32nd), Chance (16th), and others during the 2014 legislative session
Legislative Description
Civil Practice; plaintiff's right to dismiss an action; change provisions
Last Action
Senate Read and Referred
2/10/2014
Full Bill Text
No bill text available