A Business Court for Mississippi?

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann has appointed a group headed up by former state supreme court Chief Justice Ed Pittman to study the creation of a business court in the hopes of spurring economic development and alleviating pressure on family, drug, and the state appellate courts.

The study group is expected to issue a report in September. Hosemann, who campaigned and was elected in part on a promise to reform business, wants to pass a bill creating business courts in the 2009 legislative session.

In Directorship's second Annual Boardroom Guide to State Litigation Climates, Mississippi ranked 24 among the 50 states. Author Steven B. Hantler noted that the southern state's legal climate continues to improve, based on aggressive reforms enacted in 2004 and a pro-growth agenda being spearheaded by Gov. Halley Barbour.

"This is just another arrow in the quiver for Mississippi to have in economic development," said Blake Wilson, executive director of the Mississippi Economic Council.

Wilson's home state of Delaware currently incorporates two thirds of this country's Fortune 500 companies.

That means more franchise tax fees and new revenue that can be used here to build a better Mississippi.

"This would be a real tool in helping cinch a deal for getting either a headquarters or a regional headquarters," said Wilson.

Hosemann believes a business court not only helps businesses but unburdens other areas of the court system so everyone benefits: "We need to have consistent, timely opinions for out justice system, our businesses are entitled to that, our employees are entitled to that." 

West Virginia is also studying the development of a business court, modeled after what is considered the business court of America, the Delaware Chancery Court. It ranked second to last on the list of 50 states as having the worst legal climate for businesses in the newly published Guide.