Alabama Supreme Court Appellate Alert: Decisions from January 30, 2026

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The Alabama Supreme Court issued its weekly release list on Friday, January 30, which included the following opinions of interest to the Alabama business community:

1. In Ex parte University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, the Court issued a writ of mandamus requiring dismissal of a plaintiff’s case on statute-of limitations grounds because it was clear from the face of the complaint that the claims were untimely.
2. In Ex parte Stonebridge, LLC, the Court also issued a writ of mandamus requiring dismissal of a plaintiff’s complaint on statute-of-limitations grounds—in this case, even though the plaintiff filed her complaint within the limitations period—due to the plaintiff’s demonstrable lack of bona fide intent to immediately serve the complaint and summons on the defendant at the time of the filing.
3. In EFS, Inc. v. Lee, the Court reversed a $250,000 jury verdict for wantonness and rendered judgment for a defendant on the ground that the plaintiff had not established causation.
4. In Ex parte Vestavia Hills Ltd., the Court declined to decide what it deemed to be an open constitutional question—namely, whether the Alabama Constitution creates a right to a jury trial for contractual claims for attorney’s fees—reasoning that the plaintiff had not adequately argued it in its mandamus petition and arguably had failed to raise it sufficiently in the trial court.

If you have questions about these decisions or want to discuss any other matters relating to Alabama appellate law, please do not hesitate to reach out to any member of Maynard Nexsen’s Appellate Group.