applicability of sovereign immunity (Georgia) · Go Syfert
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applicability of sovereign immunity in Georgia

21 Georgia opinions name it 2 courts 1990–2024 10 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Georgia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (13)

CaseFollowedCited
McConnell v. Department of Laborgreen
ga · 2017 · cited in 16 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2017–2024
2 sentences

2024See McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 18-19 (805 SE2d 79) (2017) (holding that “[t]he applicability of sovereign immunity to claims brought against the State is a jurisdictional issue” and “[t]herefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred”).

2024See McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 18-19 (805 SE2d 79) (2017) (holding that “[t]he applicability of sovereign immunity to claims brought against the State is a jurisdictional issue” and “[t]herefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred”).

1116
City of Coll. Park v. Clayton Cnty.green
ga · 2019 · cited in 3 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2021–2024
2 sentences

2024See City of College Park v. Clayton County, 306 Ga. 301, 314 (830 SE2d 179) (2019) (“The applicability of sovereign immunity . . . is a jurisdictional issue.”).

2024See City of College Park v. Clayton County, 306 Ga. 301, 314 (830 SE2d 179) (2019) (“The applicability of sovereign immunity . . . is a jurisdictional issue.”).

33
Lathrop v. Dealgreen
ga · 2017 · cited in 3 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2017–2019
2 sentences

2019Indeed "[s]overeign immunity ... like various other rules of jurisdiction and justiciability ... is concerned with the extent to which a case properly may come before a court at all." Lathrop [, supra, 301 Ga. at 432 (III) (B), 801 S.E.2d 867 ] Therefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred. **315 (Footnotes omitted.) *189 McConnell v. Dept. of Labor , 302 Ga. 18 , 18-19, 805 S.E.2d 79 (2017).

2019Indeed "[s]overeign immunity ... like various other rules of jurisdiction and justiciability ... is concerned with the extent to which a case properly may come before a court at all." Lathrop [, supra, 301 Ga. at 432 (III) (B), 801 S.E.2d 867 ] Therefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred. **315 (Footnotes omitted.) *189 McConnell v. Dept. of Labor , 302 Ga. 18 , 18-19, 805 S.E.2d 79 (2017).

33
Georgia Ass'n of Professional Process Servers v. Jacksongreen
ga · 2017 · cited in 3 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2018–2023
2 sentences

2023Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) (806 SE2d 550) (2017) 3 (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Georgia Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 (813 SE2d 388) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in order to consider the merits” a

2023Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) (806 SE2d 550) (2017) 3 (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Georgia Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 (813 SE2d 388) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in order to consider the merits” a

23
Cameron v. Langgreen
ga · 2001 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
2 sentences

2024IX (a). 11 counties, municipalities, and school districts by statute.”20 As the Supreme Court of Georgia recently reiterated in Bray v. Watkins,21 the applicability of sovereign immunity to claims brought against the State is a jurisdictional issue and therefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred.22 “[S]overeign immunity is a threshold determination because — like various other rules of jurisdiction and justiciabi

2024IX (a). 11 counties, municipalities, and school districts by statute.”20 As the Supreme Court of Georgia recently reiterated in Bray v. Watkins,21 the applicability of sovereign immunity to claims brought against the State is a jurisdictional issue and therefore, the applicability of sovereign immunity is a threshold determination, and, if it does apply, a court lacks jurisdiction over the case and, concomitantly, lacks authority to decide the merits of a claim that is barred.22 “[S]overeign immunity is a threshold determination because — like various other rules of jurisdiction and justiciabi

11
Worth County School District v. Tibbettsgreen
ga · 2024 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
2 sentences

2024More specifically, “[s]overeign immunity is a threshold issue that must be addressed prior to resolving the merits of [Justice’s] breach of contract claim.” Worth County School Dist. v. Tibbetts, 319 Ga. 103, 107 (2) (902 SE2d 558) (2024).

2024More specifically, “[s]overeign immunity is a threshold issue that must be addressed prior to resolving the merits of [Justice’s] breach of contract claim.” Worth County School Dist. v. Tibbetts, 319 Ga. 103, 107 (2) ( 902 SE2d 558 ) (2024).

11
JOYNER v. LEAPHARTgreen
ga · 2022 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
2 sentences

2024See also Joyner v. Leaphart, 314 Ga. 1, 6 n.8 (875 SE2d 729) (2022) (indicating that res judicata is “an affirmative defense” and not “a jurisdictional matter”).

2024See also Joyner v. Leaphart, 314 Ga. 1, 6 n.8 (875 SE2d 729) (2022) (indicating that res judicata is “an affirmative defense” and not “a jurisdictional matter”).

11
NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC v. GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUEgreen
ga · 2018 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) (806 SE2d 550) (2017) 3 (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Georgia Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 (813 SE2d 388) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in order to consider the merits” a

2023See also Ga. Assn. of Professional Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) ( 806 SE2d 550 ) (2017) (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s 3 claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS v. Ga. Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 ( 813 SE2d 388 ) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in o

11
POLO GOLF and COUNTRY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. v. CUNARDgreen
ga · 2019 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) (806 SE2d 550) (2017) 3 (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Georgia Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 (813 SE2d 388) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in order to consider the merits” a

2023See also Ga. Assn. of Professional Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) ( 806 SE2d 550 ) (2017) (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s 3 claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS v. Ga. Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 ( 813 SE2d 388 ) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in o

11
LOVE v. FULTON COUNTY BOARD OF TAX ASSESSORSgreen
ga · 2021 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023The special concurring opinion rightfully concluded that “[s]overeign immunity is a threshold issue that should be decided before addressing the merits of a plaintiff’s claims,” Bray, 367 Ga. 4 App. at 386 (Gobeil, J., concurring specially), but then relied on a footnote in Love v. Fulton County Bd. of Tax Assessors, 311 Ga. 682, 690 (859 SE2d 33) (2021)2 to conclude that remand to the trial court to address sovereign immunity was unnecessary.

2023The special concurring opinion rightfully concluded that “[s]overeign immunity is a threshold issue that should be decided before addressing the merits of a plaintiff’s claims,” Bray, 367 Ga. 4 App. at 386 (Gobeil, J., concurring specially), but then relied on a footnote in Love v. Fulton County Bd. of Tax Assessors, 311 Ga. 682, 690 (859 SE2d 33) (2021)2 to conclude that remand to the trial court to address sovereign immunity was unnecessary.

11
In re Brantleygreen
ga · 2017 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023See also Clayton County v. City of College Park, 301 Ga. 653, 657 (3) (803 7 SE2d 63 ) (2017) (vacating judgment and remanding for trial court to consider applicability of sovereign immunity in the first instance). 8

11
Williams v. the Statsgreen
ga · 2023 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023Camden County v. Sweatt, 315 Ga. 498, 502 (2) n.12 (883 SE2d 827) (2023) (citation and punctuation omitted; emphasis in original).

2023Camden County v. Sweatt, 315 Ga. 498, 502 (2) n.12 ( 883 SE2d 827 ) (2023).

11
Gentry v. Recreation, Inc.green
sc · 1940 · cited in 1 Georgia opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
1 sentence

2023See also Clayton County v. City of College Park, 301 Ga. 653, 657 (3) (803 7 SE2d 63 ) (2017) (vacating judgment and remanding for trial court to consider applicability of sovereign immunity in the first instance). 8

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Georgia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (11)

CaseCitedYears
In the Matter of Carl Lawrence Collins green
ga · 2023
1 sentence

2024See also Ga. Constitution IX § II Para IX; OCGA § 36-33-1. 21 317 Ga. 703 ( 895 SE2d 282 ) (2023). 22 (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Id. at 704, quoting McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 18-19 ( 805 SE2d 79 ) (2017). 23 (Citations and punctuation omitted).

12024–2024
BRAY v. WATKINS green
ga · 2023
1 sentence

2024See also Ga. Constitution IX § II Para IX; OCGA § 36-33-1. 21 317 Ga. 703 ( 895 SE2d 282 ) (2023). 22 (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Id. at 704, quoting McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 18-19 ( 805 SE2d 79 ) (2017). 23 (Citations and punctuation omitted).

12024–2024
New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Ga. Dep't of Revenue green
ga · 2018
2 sentences

2023Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) (806 SE2d 550) (2017) 3 (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC v. Georgia Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 (813 SE2d 388) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in order to consider the merits” a

2023See also Ga. Assn. of Professional Process Servers v. Jackson, 302 Ga. 309, 311-312 (1) ( 806 SE2d 550 ) (2017) (vacating on direct appeal the portion of the trial court’s order which dismissed the plaintiff’s 3 claims on their merits and remanding with direction that these claims be dismissed because they were barred by sovereign immunity); New Cingular Wireless PCS v. Ga. Dept. of Revenue, 303 Ga. 468, 470 (1) n.3 ( 813 SE2d 388 ) (2018) (noting that “the [underlying] Court of Appeals opinion should not be read for the proposition that the issue of sovereign immunity may be pretermitted in o

12023–2023
State Road and Tollway Authority v. Bodamer. neutral
gactapp · 2019
1 sentence

2023We therefore must vacate the judgment as to the claims brought against Watkins in her official capacity “and remand this case for [the trial court’s] consideration of the applicability of sovereign immunity [as to those claims].” State Rd. & Tollway Auth. v. Bodamer, 350 Ga. App. 486 , 489 (1) (b) ( 829 SE2d 658 ) (2019).

12023–2023
Watts v. City of Dillard green
gactapp · 2008
1 sentence

2020“Under these circumstances, we simply cannot say that [the Appellants] met [their] burden of proving the essential elements of a written contractual agreement between 3 Although the parties have exhaustively discussed exclusivity and breach of contract in their briefs, we cannot address those issues given the applicability of sovereign immunity and our lack of jurisdiction. 27 [Atlanta Metro Leasing] and the City sufficient to support [its] breach of contract claim or the City’s waiver of the immunity defense.” Watts, 294 Ga. App. at 863-864 .

12020–2020
Foster v. Morrison green
gactapp · 1985
2 sentences

2020(Footnote omitted.) McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 19 ( 805 SE2d 79 ) (2017).2 2 “For convenience of discussion, we have taken the enumerated errors out of the order in which [the Appellants have] listed them[.]” Foster v. Morrison, 177 Ga. App. 250 (1) ( 339 SE2d 307 ) (1985). 6 1.

2020(Footnote omitted.) McConnell v. Dept. of Labor, 302 Ga. 18, 19 ( 805 SE2d 79 ) (2017).2 2 “For convenience of discussion, we have taken the enumerated errors out of the order in which [the Appellants have] listed them[.]” Foster v. Morrison, 177 Ga. App. 250 (1) ( 339 SE2d 307 ) (1985). 6 1.

12020–2020
Sjn Properties, LLC. v. Fulton County Board of Assessors green
ga · 2015
1 sentence

2018"Our mandamus statute [ OCGA § 9-6-20 ] expressly authorizes claimants to seek relief against a public official 'whenever ... a defect of legal justice would ensue from [the official's] failure to perform or from improper performance' of 'official duties.' " SJN Properties, LLC, supra at 799 (2) (b) (ii), 770 S.E.2d 832 (citation omitted).

12018–2018
Toombs County v. O'NEAL green
ga · 1985
2 sentences

1990B) Is a county required by OCGA § 45-9-40 and Toombs County v. O'Neal, 254 Ga. 390 ( 330 SE2d 95 ) (1985), to secure liability insurance to cover damages arising out of the operation of county-owned motor vehicles?

1990B) Is a county required by OCGA § 45-9-40 and Toombs County v. O'Neal, 254 Ga. 390 ( 330 SE2d 95 ) (1985), to secure liability insurance to cover damages arising out of the operation of county-owned motor vehicles?

11990–1990
Martin v. Georgia Department of Public Safety green
ga · 1987
2 sentences

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court's decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court's decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

11990–1990
Chapman v. Florida neutral
scotus · 1988
2 sentences

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court’s decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court's decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

11990–1990
Price v. Department of Transportation green
ga · 1987
2 sentences

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court's decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

1990We accepted certiorari to decide the following questions: A) In light of this court's decisions in Martin v. Ga. Dept. of Public Safety, 257 Ga. 300 ( 357 SE2d 569 ) (1987), cert. denied 484 U. S. 998 (1988), and Price v. Dept. of Transp., 257 Ga. 535 ( 361 SE2d 146 ) (1987), does the applicability of sovereign immunity still turn on the distinction between ministerial and discretionary acts of public officials?

11990–1990

Statutes the citing opinions construe

GA § 9-11-12 (4) GA § 9-6-20 (4) GA § 36-33-1 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

GA 21 (1990–2024) IL 10 (1994–2021) NC 9 (2007–2025) FL 5 (2003–2024) VA 4 (1991–2007) ME 3 (1978–2004) PA 3 (1999–2019) MD 3 (1996–2000) OH 2 (2000–2005) DC 2 (2009–2022) WA 2 (2006–2006) ND 2 (1983–1991)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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