ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASES AT UA SCHOOL OF LAW

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - In a historic and unprecedented event in state history, the Arkansas Supreme Court will hear cases away from the Justice Building in Little Rock when court convenes Thursday, Oct. 17, at the University of Arkansas School of Law Courtroom in the Leflar Law Center.

The enactment of Amendment 80 by the voters of Arkansas in 2000 allows the state's Supreme Court to hold hearings outside of Little Rock. The School of Law at the University of Arkansas will be the first site to host such an event.

"We are extremely pleased and excited that the Arkansas Supreme Court will be hearing cases in our courtroom," said Robert Moberly, dean of the school of law at the university. "This is a historic event for the school and the entire state of Arkansas."

Members of the court will hear two arguments Thursday morning, with the first beginning at 9:40 a.m. and the second to follow an hour later. Cases to be heard are Clarence J. Worth, et al. v. City of Rogers et al. (No. 01-1048) and Clarence J. Worth, et al. v. Honorable Tom Keith (No. 01-1409). These are different issues on the same case.

Though media representatives are invited to attend the hearings, there will be no media designated seating inside the courtroom or any flash or video photography to be used during the event. The court also asks nobody be allowed to enter or leave the courtroom once the first hearing begins, though there will be a short break to allow for movement before the second. Once it begins, again, no visitors will be allowed to enter or leave.

Following an after-the-arguments conference, a reception for members of the court will follow at 12:30 p.m. in the law center.

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Dean Robert Moberly, University of Arkansas School of Law, (479) 575-4504

Frankie Frisco, communications coordinator, University of Arkansas School of Law, (479) 575-6111; ffrisco@uark.edu