Stephens Production Company v. Bill R. Mainer Peggy Ann Mainer Mary Hammond Living Trust H.h. Hammond Living Trust…

Summary

The court affirmed certification of a class of royalty owners asserting claims arising from Stephens Production Company's suspension of royalty payments and alleged improper deductions. It held that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion in finding that joinder was impracticable and that a class action was the superior method because the lease language and alleged conduct were common and liability could be resolved in one proceeding. Justice Wood, dissenting, would have reversed because the record did not establish that joinder of the relatively small class was impracticable.