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Newberry v. Georgia Dept. of Industry Trade

Supreme Court of South Carolina
Oct 16, 1985
336 S.E.2d 464 (S.C. 1985)

Summary

holding that refusal to apply the sued state's law would permit forum shopping

Summary of this case from Montaño v. Frezza

Opinion

22387

Heard September 24, 1985.

Decided October 16, 1985.

Charles E. Carpenter, Jr., and R. Davis Howser of Richardson, Plowden, Grier Howser, Columbia, for petitioner. Ken Suggs, D. Michael Kelly of Ken Suggs — Mike Kelly, Lawyers, P.A., James W. Alford of Barnes, Alford, Stork Johnson, and Edwin P. Martin of Turner, Padget, Graham Laney, Columbia, for respondents.


Heard Sept. 24, 1985.

Decided Oct. 16, 1985.


Respondent Martha Newberry, a resident of the State of Maryland, commenced this action in tort against appellant Georgia Department of Industry and Trade (the Department) and two South Carolina defendants. The Department, an agency of the State of Georgia, filed a demurrer on the ground of sovereign immunity. The trial judge overruled the demurrer and the Court of Appeals affirmed. Newberry v. Georgia Department of Industry and Trade, 283 S.C. 312, 322 S.E.2d 212 (S.C.App. 1984). This Court granted certiorari. We quash the opinion of the Court of Appeals.

This case presents a narrow issue: Should the courts of this State exercise jurisdiction over a non-consenting sister state? In McCall v. Batson, ___ S.C. ___, 329 S.E.2d 741 (1985), this Court abrogated the doctrine of sovereign immunity as it applied to suits against agencies of the State of South Carolina in the courts of this State. By contrast, this case involves a suit against an agency of the State of Georgia in a South Carolina court in a case that could not be brought in Georgia. In short, respondent seeks to circumvent sovereign immunity in Georgia by filing a suit in South Carolina.

McCall limits recovery to existing liability coverage until July 1, 1986.

The Department's first argument, based on the Federal Constitution, is without merit, Nevada v. Hall, 440 U.S. 410, 99 S.Ct. 1182, 59 L.Ed.2d 416, reh. denied, 441 U.S. 917, 99 S.Ct. 2018, 60 L.Ed.2d 389 (1979); however, that case does not require state courts to entertain such suits. We must determine whether respondent's claim should be denied as a matter of comity and sound public policy.

The Court of Appeals rejected the argument that the principles of comity and public policy should foreclose this case. We disagree. While it is true that this Court has established a policy of giving redress for tortious wrongs, there are other overriding policy considerations which compel us to refuse to entertain respondent's action.

First, as suggested earlier, the opinion of the Court of Appeals would lead to forum shopping. Although suit in tort could not be brought in Georgia, a plaintiff could circumvent Georgia's immunity by bringing suit in this State.

Second, allowing this type of suit would cause tension between the states, and further degrade state sovereignty.

Finally, there are practical problems enforcing a judgment in this case. Georgia could refuse to recognize the judgment within its borders and pull its investments out of South Carolina in order to avoid a levy in this State. See Nevada v. Hall, (Rehnquist, J., dissenting.)

Therefore, we hold, as a matter of comity and public policy, a non-consenting sister state may not be sued in tort in South Carolina.

A non-consenting state is one protected by sovereign immunity.

The opinion of the Court of Appeal is, accordingly,

Quashed.

NESS, C. J,. and HARWELL, CHANDLER and FINNEY, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

Newberry v. Georgia Dept. of Industry Trade

Supreme Court of South Carolina
Oct 16, 1985
336 S.E.2d 464 (S.C. 1985)

holding that refusal to apply the sued state's law would permit forum shopping

Summary of this case from Montaño v. Frezza

concluding that failing to recognize Georgia's immunity to the extent prescribed under Georgia law would lead to forum shopping because "[a]lthough suit in tort could not be brought in Georgia, a plaintiff could circumvent Georgia's immunity by bringing suit in this State"

Summary of this case from Montaño v. Frezza

ruling that as a matter of comity and public policy, a non-consenting sister state may not be sued in tort in this State

Summary of this case from Melton v. Crowder

overruling lower court and extending immunity as matter of comity notwithstanding that forum state had abolished sovereign immunity

Summary of this case from Lee v. Miller County

In Newberry v. Georgia Dep't of Indus. Trade, 286 S.C. 574, 336 S.E.2d 464, 465 (1985), the Supreme Court of South Carolina held that "as a matter of comity and public policy, a non-consenting sister state may not be sued in tort in South Carolina."

Summary of this case from Davis v. City of Augusta

In Newberry, supra, a South Carolina resident attempted to bring an action in this State against a Georgia State agency for an injury occurring in South Carolina. At the time of the injury, Georgia agencies were protected by sovereign immunity to the extent the agency had purchased liability insurance.

Summary of this case from Melton v. Crowder

In Newberry a Maryland resident was injured after tripping over an electrical cord while visiting a trade show at Columbia Mall. Newberry v. Georgia Dept. of Industry and Trade, 283 S.C. 312, 322 S.E.2d 212 (Ct.App. 1984), reversed 286 S.C. 574, 336 S.E.2d 464 (1985).

Summary of this case from Frady v. Student Loan Servicing Center
Case details for

Newberry v. Georgia Dept. of Industry Trade

Case Details

Full title:Martha NEWBERRY, Respondent, v. GEORGIA DEPT. OF INDUSTRY TRADE, et al…

Court:Supreme Court of South Carolina

Date published: Oct 16, 1985

Citations

336 S.E.2d 464 (S.C. 1985)
336 S.E.2d 464

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