In March 2017, Governor Nathan Deal created a Court Reform Council as a measure to review and improve current judicial practices and procedures. Following the disclosure of the council’s recommendations and final report, the governor announced his proposed constitutional amendment to establish a statewide business court in Georgia.

During his eighth and final address at the Georgia Chamber’s Annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast, Deal elaborated on his plan, “One of the primary reform recommendations from [the] Council [to] be included… this session [is] a business court constitutional amendment – something long advocated for by many present [at the breakfast] and throughout the private sector community. A constitutional business court would provide an efficient and dependable forum to litigants in every corner of the state for the resolution of complex matters. Such a stable legal environment will help ensure that we remain the number one state in which to do business and [will] also provide relief to the demands placed on our superior and state courts, making our judicial system efficient.”

The governor’s proposal is House Resolution 993, sponsored by Chuck Efstration (R-Dacula). It would amend Article VI of the Georgia Constitution to implement a business court with state-wide jurisdiction.

Kade Cullefer, Executive Director of Georgians for Lawsuit Reform offered insight about the long awaited judicial reform legislation, “The creation of a statewide business court in Georgia would promote specialized resolution of complex business cases. The business court will enhance predictability, increase speed, improve case management, lower costs, and provide judicial expertise in complex commercial litigation. The establishment of such a court will make us a more attractive and competitive state, particularly since a number of other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, have such a specialized court.  The business court will benefit all Georgians: by removing complex, time-consuming business cases from the general docket, non-business cases will also be resolved more quickly. Georgians for Lawsuit Reform would like to thank Governor Deal for his leadership on this important issue.”

As the state’s largest business advocate, the Georgia Chamber understands the importance of reforming the state’s current civil justice system. As a 2018 legislative priority and scorecard issue, the Chamber is dedicated to working with members of the General Assembly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Georgia’s business climate.

As a constitutional amendment, House Resolution 993 will require a two-thirds majority vote of each chamber before the proposal can be introduced as a ballot measure.

To learn more about the Georgians for Lawsuit Reform, contact Kade Cullefer at  kcullefer@galawsuitreform.com.

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