Interlocutory appeals; immunity, petitions or appeals, civil actions.

Interlocutory appeals; immunity. Provides that, when the circuit court has entered in any pending civil action an order or decree that is not otherwise appealable, a party may file in such court a motion requesting that the court certify such order or decree for interlocutory appeal. The bill further provides that if such certification is opposed by any party the parties may brief the motion. Within 15 days of the entry of an order granting such certification, a petition for appeal may be filed with the appellate court having jurisdiction from a final judgment in the proceeding. Current law specifies that such petition must be filed within 10 days of such certification. The bill further provides that when, prior to the commencement of trial, the circuit court has entered an order granting or denying a plea of sovereign, absolute, or qualified immunity that, if granted, would immunize the movant from compulsory participation in the proceeding, the order is eligible for immediate appellate review. The bill specifies that any person aggrieved by such order may file a petition for review with the appropriate appellate court. The bill provides that the failure of a party to seek interlocutory review shall not preclude review of the issue on appeal from a final order and that an order denying such review shall not preclude review of the issue on appeal from a final order. As introduced, the bill was a recommendation of the Boyd-Graves Conference.