At 1:30 the MSSCT will hear the case of Watkins Development, LLC and Farish Street Group, LLC v. Jackson Redevelopment Authority et al.
In October of 2013, the Jackson Redevelopment Authority filed suit in the Chancery Court of Hinds County against Farish Street Group, LLC and Watkins Development, LLC for removal of an illegal claim of lien placed by Watkins Dev. upon property owned by the JRA. Farish Street Group was a lessee of the JRA, and Watkins Dev. had entered into a development agreement with Farish Street Group. There was no contract or lease between the JRA and Watkins Dev. The JRA’s suit also sought damages for FSG’s breach of the Lease and penalties against Watkins Dev. under Section
85-7-201 for the wrongful filing of the lien. Watkins Dev. and Farish Street Group filed counterclaims against the JRA seeking reinstatement of the lease between the JRA and FSG. The JRA filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment seeking declaratory relief that, for various reasons, Watkins Dev.’s claim of lien on the JRA was invalid. The Chancery Court of Hinds County granted the JRA’s motion and declared the claim of lien invalid as a matter of law. The remainder of all the claims were tried in August of 2016 and the chancellor found that Farish Street Group breached its lease with the JRA and that the JRA had properly terminated the Lease. However, the chancellor awarded the JRA no damages. The
chancellor found no breach of the lease by the JRA, awarded no relief to either counterclaimant, and dismissed both counterclaims. Watkins Dev. and Farish Street Group appealed.
Watkins brief
JRA brief
Watkins reply brief
Watch the argument here