Cite as 2017 Ark. App. 360
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION I
No. CV-16-623
EMMETT ELMORE AND JENNIFER Opinion Delivered May 31, 2017
HARRIS
APPELLANTS APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI
COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FIFTH
DIVISION [NO. 60CV-15-4194]
V.
HONORABLE WENDELL GRIFFEN,
JUDGE
GEMINI CAPITAL GROUP, LLC
APPELLEE DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE
PHILLIP T. WHITEAKER, Judge
Emmett Elmore and Jennifer Harris appeal a Pulaski County Circuit Court order
setting aside their motion to transfer their case from district court and dismissing their class-
action claim against Gemini Capital Group, LLC. Because the order appealed from does not
contain a proper Rule 54(b) certification, we do not have jurisdiction and must dismiss
without prejudice for lack of a final, appealable order.
Gemini Capital Group, LLC (Gemini) is an out-of-state buyer of debt. Gemini
purchased an unpaid car loan from Elmore’s and Harris’s lender and filed a complaint in the
Pulaski County District Court to collect. In May 2015, Elmore and Harris answered and filed
a class-action counterclaim alleging causes of action for unjust enrichment, violation of the
Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and violations of the Arkansas and Federal Fair Debt
Collection Practices Acts. Elmore and Harris alleged that Gemini purchased debt of which
collections were barred by the statutes of limitation and then filed phantom payment reports
Cite as 2017 Ark. App. 360
to make it appear as though the claims were still actionable. Because the remedy sought was
in excess of district court jurisdiction, Elmore and Harris sought to have the case transferred
to circuit court.
Gemini responded to the motion to transfer, arguing that the counterclaims were
permissive rather than compulsory, and therefore, the district court was required under
District Court Rule 7(d) to “disregard” the claim rather than transfer it. A hearing on the
motion to transfer was set. Prior to the hearing, Gemini voluntarily dismissed its complaint
against Elmore and Harris. On August 27, 2015, the district court transferred the remaining
counterclaim to circuit court pursuant to Arkansas District Court Rule 7(c).
Over four months later, Gemini moved in circuit court to set aside the transfer from
district court. Again, Gemini argued that the counterclaims were permissive rather than
compulsory, and therefore, under Rule 7(d) the district court erred in transferring the claim.
Alternatively, Gemini argued that, because the district court could not exercise jurisdiction
over the counterclaims and because Gemini had dismissed its cause of action, the case should
be dismissed. Elmore and Harris opposed the motion to set aside and/or dismiss, arguing that
the circuit court could not set aside the motion to transfer because the 90-day time limit
under Rule 60(a) had expired and that the transfer order was proper because the
counterclaims were compulsory, rather than permissive. The circuit court found the
counterclaims to be permissive, set aside the transfer order, and granted Gemini’s motion to
dismiss. Elmore and Harris filed a timely notice of appeal. Almost three months later, the
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circuit court entered an amended order containing a purported Rule 54(b) certification to
which a timely notice of appeal was also filed.
Before we can reach the merits of the arguments on appeal, we must first address a
jurisdictional issue. While neither party has raised the issue, the question of whether an order
is final for appeal purposes is a jurisdictional point that we must often raise on our own. See
Jacobs v. Collison, 2016 Ark. App. 547, 505 S.W.3d 254. Our rules state that an appeal may
be taken from a final judgment or decree. Ark. R. App. P.–Civ. 2(a)(1) (2016). Our supreme
court has held that “for an order to be final and appealable, it must terminate the action, end
the litigation, and conclude the rights to the matter in controversy.” Beverly Enters.-Ark., Inc.
v. Hillier, 341 Ark. 1, at 3, 14 S.W.3d 487, 488 (2000). Here, Gemini took a voluntary
nonsuit of its claims against Elmore and Harris. We have previously held that a circuit court’s
order granting a nonsuit and dismissing claims without prejudice is not a final order or an
adjudication on the merits because the merits of the cause are not finally determined. Id.; see
also Brookewood, Ltd. P’ship v. DeQueen Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy, Inc., 2017
Ark. App. 84. As a result, the order being appealed is not a final, appealable order.
However, our rules do allow some nonfinal orders to be immediately appealable if the
circuit court makes an express determination, supported by factual findings, that there is no
just reason for delay and if the court has executed a proper Rule 54(b) certificate. Ark. R.
App. P.– Civ. 2(a)(11). Our supreme court has held that the execution of a proper Rule 54(b)
certificate is very precise: it must include specific findings of any danger of hardship or
injustice that could be alleviated by an immediate appeal and set out the factual underpinnings
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that establish such hardship or injustice, Holbrook v. Healthport, Inc., 2013 Ark. 87, and when
a certificate is void of specific factual findings as to the existence of danger of hardship or
injustice that could be alleviated by an immediate appeal, the appellate court dismisses the
appeal for lack of appellate jurisdiction. Robinson v. Villines, 2012 Ark. 211. In fact, our
supreme court has held that the discretionary power of the circuit court to direct finality is to
be exercised infrequently and only in harsh cases. Id.
Here, the circuit court’s order contained the following purported Rule 54(b)
certification:
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.
This certification tracks the language of Rule 54(b), but it does not contain any factual
findings explaining why hardship or injustice would result if an immediate appeal is not
permitted. Without specific findings to support this conclusion, the order does not satisfy the
requirements of Rule 54(b). See Gray v. White River Health Sys., Inc., 2016 Ark. 73, 483
S.W.3d 293; Kyle v. Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C., 2012 Ark. 268. Therefore, we dismiss the
appeal without prejudice.
Dismissed without prejudice.
VIRDEN and MURPHY, JJ., agree.
Steel, Wright & Collier, PLLC, by: Scott Poynter, for appellants.
Spencer Fane LLP, by: Jason C. Smith, for appellee.
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