Lawrence C. Bandy, M.D., and Arkansas Gyn Oncology, P.A. v. Mildred Vick

Summary

The court held that the circuit court lacked authority to remove defendants' jury-trial demand as a sanction for failing to comply with a court-ordered mediation requirement. Because the defendants had not consented to a bench trial and no statute or rule authorized that sanction, the judgment was reversed and the case remanded for further proceedings. The opinion did not reach the parties' remaining arguments concerning due process, equal protection, the locality rule, reopening the case, or posttrial relief.