CHAPTER 27 EMINENT DOMAIN Section IN GENERAL 11-27-1. Who may exercise right of eminent domain. 11-27-3. Court of eminent domain. 11-27-5. Complaint to condemn ; parties; preference. 11-27-7. Filing complaint; lis pendens; time and place of hearing; notice; pleadings. 11-27-9. Repealed. 11-27-11. Organization of court - summoning jurors. 11-27-13. Separate causes of action; jury or nonjury trial. 11-27-15. Dismissal; grounds; appeal. 11-27-17. Oath of jurors. 11-27-19. Evidence; award; arguments of counsel; instructions. 11-27-21. Damage to remainder - determination. 11-27-23. Verdict. 11-27-25. Judgment. 11-27-27. Transfer of title - procedure. 11-27-29. Appeals. 11-27-31. Property in more than one county. 11-27-33. Certain takings of property excluded. 11-27-35. Rights-of-way across railroad property. 11-27-37. Right of action for expense of defending suit; when available. 11-27-39. Surveys - right to enter land - liability for damages. 11-27-41. Hydro-electric companies. 11-27-43. Erection and maintenance of utility poles and lines. 11-27-45. Power lines across railroads. 11-27-47. Pipelines. 11-27-48. Information from Public Service Commission. 11-27-49. Public schools. 11-27-51. Proceedings filed before 1972 not affected by chapter. RIGHT TO IMMEDIATE POSSESSION. 11-27-81. Who may exercise right of immediate possession. 11-27-83. Institution of proceedings; appraisal of property. 11-27-85. Order granting right to immediate title and immediate entry; deposit. 11-27-87. Effect of insufficiency or excess of deposit. 11-27-89. Compensation of appraiser; right to jury trial. 11-27-91. Special funds and accounts of highway commission.
11-27-1. Who may exercise right of eminent domain. Any person or corporation having the right to condemn private property for public use shall exercise that right as provided in this chapter, except as elsewhere specifically provided under the laws of the state of Mississippi. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-01; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 1, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-3. Court of eminent domain. A special court of eminent domain is hereby created, to consist of a judge, jury, and such other officers and personnel as hereinafter set out, and it shall have and exercise the jurisdiction and powers hereinafter enumerated. The original powers and jurisdiction shall be and is hereby fixed in the county court in each county that has elected to come under the provisions of section 9-9-1 Mississippi Code of 1972, or that may hereafter come under the provisions of said section 9-9-1, and in every other county of this state, the original powers and jurisdiction shall be and is hereby fixed in the circuit court of such county, which said powers and jurisdiction may be exercised in full either in termtime or vacation, or both. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-02; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 2, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-5. Complaint to condemn; parties; preference. Any person or corporation having the right to condemn private property for public use shall file a complaint to condemn with the circuit clerk of the county in which the affected property, or some part thereof, is situated and shall make all the owners of the affected property involved, and any mortgagee, trustee or other person having any interest therein or lien thereon a defendant thereto. The complaint shall be considered a matter of public interest and shall be a preference case over other cases except other preference causes. The complaint shall describe in detail the property sought to be condemned, shall state with certainty the right to condemn, and shall identify the interest or claim of each defendant. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-03; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 3; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 61, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-7. Filing complaint; lis pendens; time and place of hearing; notice; pleadings. The complaint shall be filed with the circuit clerk and shall be assigned a number and placed on the docket as other pleadings in circuit court or county court. The plaintiff shall also file a lis pendens notice in the office of the chancery clerk immediately after filing the complaint. The circuit clerk, or the plaintiff by his attorney, shall forthwith present such complaint to the circuit judge or county judge, as the case may be, who shall by written order directed to the circuit clerk fix the time and place for the hearing of the matter, in termtime or vacation, and the time of hearing shall be fixed on a date to allow sufficient time for each defendant named to be served with process as is otherwise provided by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure, for not less than thirty (30) days prior to the hearing. If a defendant, or other party in interest, shall not be served for the specified time prior to the date fixed, the hearing shall be continued to a day certain to allow the thirty-day period specified. Not less than twenty (20) days prior to the date fixed for such hearing, the plaintiff shall file with the circuit clerk and serve upon the defendants, or their respective attorneys, a statement showing: (1) the fair market value of the property to be condemned, determined as of the date of the filing of the complaint; (2) the damages, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole is taken, giving a total compensation and damages to be due as determined by the plaintiff. Not less than ten (10) days prior to the date fixed for such hearing, each of the defendants shall file with the circuit clerk and serve upon the plaintiff, or his attorney, a statement showing: (1) the fair market value of the property to be condemned, determined as of the date of the filing of the complaint; (2) the damages, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole is taken, giving a total compensation and damages to be due as determined by the defendants. In each such instance, both the plaintiff and the defendant shall set out in such statement the asserted highest and best use of the property and shall itemize the elements of damage, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole is taken. The statements required by this section shall constitute the pleadings of the parties with respect to the issue of value, and shall be treated as pleadings are treated in civil actions in the circuit court. The judge, for good cause shown, may increase or decrease the time for pleading by the plaintiff or by the defendant. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 4; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 62, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-9. Repealed. Repealed by Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 141, eff from and after July 1, 1991. [Codes, 1942, 2749-05; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 5] 11-27-11. Organization of court - summoning jurors. The circuit clerk shall deliver a copy of said order of the court fixing the time and place for the hearing to the sheriff of the county and to the official court reporter. The sheriff shall attend the court and execute all process. The court reporter shall take the testimony. The circuit clerk, in the presence of the sheriff and chancery clerk, shall draw from the jury box of the court the names of twenty-four (24) jurors, or such numbers of jurors as shall be ordered by the court, who shall serve in said court, and shall issue a venire facias to the sheriff, commanding him to summon the jurors so drawn to appear at the time and place designated by the order of the court. All acts and actions of the clerk and sheriff, including the return endorsed on each summons issued, shall be filed by the clerk and made a part of the record in the cause. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-06; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 6, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-13. Separate causes of action; jury or nonjury trial. Each different property, identified by separate ownership, shall constitute a separate civil action and shall require a separate trial, unless otherwise agreed by all parties with the approval of the court. Trial shall be to a jury which shall be examined and impaneled in accordance with the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. Alternatively, trial may be to the court, as provided by the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-07; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 7; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 63, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-15. Dismissal; grounds; appeal. Any defendant may, not less than five (5) days prior to the date fixed for the hearing of the complaint and in the same court where the complaint is pending, serve and file a motion to dismiss under the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted on a ny of the following grounds: (1) that the plaintiff seeking to exercise the right of eminent domain is not, in character, such a corporation, association, district or other legal entity as is entitled to the right; (2) that there is no public necessity for the taking of the particular property or a part thereof which it is proposed to condemn; or (3) that the contemplated use alleged to be a public use is not in law a public use for which private property may be taken or damaged. Any such motion, if served and filed, shall be heard and decided by the judge as a preference proceeding, without a jury, prior to the hearing on the complaint. Any party may appeal directly to the Supreme Court from an order overruling or granting any such motion to dismiss, as in other cases, but if the order be to overrule the motion, the appeal therefrom shall not operate as a supersedeas and the court of eminent domain may nevertheless proceed with the trial on the complaint. Any appeal from an order overruling or granting a motion to dismiss shall be a preference action in the Supreme Court and advanced on the docket as appropriate. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-08; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 8; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 64, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-17. Oath of jurors. When the jury shall be so impaneled, the jurors shall be sworn as follows: "I do solemnly swear or affirm that as a member of this jury I will discharge my duty honestly and faithfully, to the best of my ability, and that I will a true verdict render according to the evidence, without fear, favor, or affection, and that I will be governed by the instructions of the court. So help me God." Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-09; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 9, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-19. Evidence; award; arguments of counsel; instructions. Evidence may be introduced by either party, and the jury may, in the sound discretion of the judge, go to the premises, under the charge of the court as to conduct, conversation and actions as may be proper in the premises. Evidence of fair market value shall be established as of the date of the filing of the complaint. Any judgment finally entered in payment for property to be taken shall provide legal interest on the award of the jury from the date of the filing of the complaint until payment is actually made; provided, however, that interest need not be paid on any funds deposited by the plaintiff and withdrawn by the defendants prior to judgment. At the conclusion of the trial, the court shall instruct the jury in accordance with the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-10; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 10; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 65, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-21. Damage to remainder - determination. In determining damages, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole of a defendant's interest in property is taken, nothing shall be deducted therefrom on account of the supposed benefits incident to the public use for which the petitioner seeks to acquire the property. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-11; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 11, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-23. Verdict. In the trial of all cases provided for herein, nine (9) jurors may bring in a verdict as in other civil cases. The verdict of the jury shall be in the following form: "We, the jury, find that the defendant (naming him) will be damaged by the acquisition of his property for the public use, in the sum of Dollars." Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-12; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 12, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-25. Judgment. Upon the return of the verdict, the court shall enter a judgment as follows, viz: "In this case the claim of (naming him or them) to have condemned certain lands named in the complaint, to-wit: (here describe the property), being the property of (here name the owner), was submitted to a jury composed of (here insert their names) on the day of, A. D.,, and the jury returned a verdict fixing said defendant's compensation and damages at Dollars, and the verdict was received and entered. Now, upon payment of the said award, with legal interest from the date of the filing of the complaint, ownership of the said property shall be vested in plaintiff and it may be appropriated to the public use as prayed for in the complaint. Let the plaintiff pay the costs, for which execution may issue." Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-13; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 13; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 66, eff from and after July 1, 1991. 11-27-27. Transfer of title - procedure. Upon return of the verdict and entry of the judgment, the applicant shall pay to defendants, or to the clerk if defendants absent themselves, the differences between the judgment and deposits previously made, if any; shall pay the costs of court, including the cost of jury service as is otherwise provided by law for the court in which the case is tried. Then, ownership of the property described in the petition shall be vested in petitioner and it may use said property as specified in the petition. If deposits perviously made exceed the judgement, then the clerk or defendant to whom disbursement thereof has been made, as the case may be, shall pay such excess to the petitioner. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-14; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 14, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-29. Appeals. (1) Every party shall have the right to appeal directly to the Supreme Court from the judgment entered in the special court of eminent domain, whether tried in county court or circuit court, by giving notice within ten (10) days from the date of the judgment or final order entered by the court to the court reporter to transcribe the record as taken and by prepaying all costs that may be adjudged against him; and said notice to the court reporter shall be given and the costs shall be paid as is otherwise required by law for appeals to the Supreme Court. If the judgment be in excess of the sum, if any, deposited, and the plaintiff, other than the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, desires an appeal, he shall deposit a sum, or a good and sufficient surety bond with a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi acceptable to the clerk, equal to double the amount of the judgment, less the amount of the deposit, if any, which shall be held exclusively to secure all damages assessed against plaintiff. In any case where the deposit exceeds the compensation to be paid the defendants as determined by the final judgment, the excess shall be returned to the plaintiff. If the appeal is by the defendant, it shall not operate as a supersedeas, nor shall the right of the plaintiff to enter in and upon the land and to appropriate the same to public use by delayed. If the appeal be by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, no bond or prepayment of costs shall be required, except the Supreme Court filing fee as required by Section 25-7-3. (2) The term of a special court of eminent domain shall begin when the court is convened as provided by statute and shall continue for ten (10) days immediately following the entry and filing of a judgement or final order with the clerk of the court, and thereafter the court shall have jurisdiction to dispose of any post trial motions or proceedings filed within said ten (10) days. The jurisdiction of a special court of eminent domain shall expire upon the entry and filing with the clerk of a final judgment or order disposing of any post trial motions or proceedings. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-15; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 15; Laws, 1978, ch. 335, 8; Laws, 1980, ch. 366; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 67, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-31. Property in more than one county. In case the property sought to be condemned be in more than one (1) county, proceedings may be instituted in either of the counties in which a part of said property is situated. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-16; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 16, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-33. Certain takings of property excluded. The provisions of this chapter shall not be applied to cases provided for by section 233 of the Constitution, or to those cases covered under the provisions of section 51-29-39, Mississippi Code of 1972. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-17; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 17, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-35. Rights-of-way across railroad property. Telephone, telegraph or street railway companies, may acquire a right-of-way across railroads by condemnation by proceeding in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. If a right-of-way across a railroad has been condemned by a telegraph, telephone or street railway company, the railroad company shall be advised of the manner in which such telephone or telegraph company proposes to erect its poles and string its wires or place plant facilities underground, and in case of a street railway company, it shall give the railroad company notice of the manner in which it proposes to construct its tracks across the railroad, and if the railroad company shall object thereto, the public service commission shall have jurisdiction, upon complaint filed with it by the railroad company, to enter an order directing how the poles and wires or underground plant, if a telephone or telegraph company, shall be erected and strung or placed underground, and how tracks, if a street railway company, shall be constructed, and the railroad shall be crossed as ordered, and in no other manner. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-18; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 18, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-37. Right of action for expense of defending suit; when available. In case the plaintiff shall fail to pay the damages and costs awarded to the defendant within ninety (90) days from the date of the rendering of the final judgment, if such judgment is not appealed from, or in case the suit shall be dismissed by the plaintiff except pursuant to settlement, or the judgment be that the plaintiff is not entitled to a judgment condemning property, the defendant may recover of the plaintiff in an action brought therefor all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by him in defending the suit. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-19; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 19; Laws, 1978, ch. 335, 9; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 68, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-39. Surveys - right to enter land - liability for damages. Railroads, street or interurban railroads, mining, lighting, power, telephone, and telegraph corporations, and all other corporations, companies, persons and associations of persons, having rights and powers to condemn property may cause to be made such examinations and surveys for their proposed railroads, lines and stations, as may be necessary to the selection of the most advantageous routes and sites, and for such purpose may, by their officers, agents and servants, enter upon the lands and waters of any person, but subject to liability for all damages done thereto. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-20; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 20, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-41. Hydro-electric companies. All companies or associations of persons incorporated or organized for the purpose of improving and developing the water power of rivers and streams for generating, distributing and selling electricity and electro-mechanical power for any purpose for which electricity or electro-mechanical power is now or may hereafter be used or applied, are empowered and authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain, as provided in the chapter on that subject, to condemn and take such lands as may be necessary for the establishment of their reservoirs, ponds, dams, and works, and the right-of-way through all lands between such reservoirs, ponds, dams and works and cities, towns and other points where light, heat or power may be consumed, to place and extend their electric wires and conductors, either underground or on poles overhead and to keep same in repair; provided that such wires and conductors shall be so constructed and placed as not to be dangerous to persons or property and to do as little injury as possible. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-21; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 21, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-43. Erection and maintenance of utility poles and lines. All companies or associations of persons incorporated or organized for the purposes set forth in section 11-27-41 are authorized and empowered to erect, place and maintain their posts, wires and conductors along and across any of the public highways, streets or waters and along and across all turnpikes, railroads and canals, and also through any of the public lands, and to do such clearing as may be reasonably necessary for the proper protection, operation and maintenance of such facilities, provided in all cases such authorization shall meet the requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code. The same shall be so constructed and placed as not to be dangerous to persons or property; nor interfere with the common use of such roads, streets, or waters; nor with the use of the wires of other wire-using companies; or more than is necessary with the convenience of any landowner. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-22; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 22, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-45. Power lines across railroads. All companies, or associations of persons incorporated or organized for the purposes set forth in section 11-27-41 may acquire a right-of-way across railroads by condemnation by the exercise of such right of eminent domain. If a right-of-way across a railroad has been condemned by a hydroelectric company, as herein defined, the railroad company shall be advised of the manner in which said hydroelectric company proposes to erect its poles and string its wires and conductors, and if the railroad company shall object thereto, the public service commission shall have jurisdiction upon complaint filed with it by the railroad company to enter an order directing how the poles, wires and conductors shall be constructed, and the railroad shall be crossed as ordered and in no other manner. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-23; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 23, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-47. Pipelines. All companies, associations of persons, municipalities, associations of municipalities, public utility districts authorized by and under the laws of the state of Mississippi, or natural gas districts, incorporated or organized for the purpose of building or constructing pipelines and appliances for the conveying and distribution of oil or gas, including carbon dioxide or other gaseous substances for use in connection with secondary or tertiary recovery projects located within the state of Mississippi for the enhanced recovery of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons, or for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating lines for transmitting electricity for lighting, heating and power purposes, or for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and operating lines and appliances, for storing, transmitting and distributing water and for transmitting, treating and disposing of sewage, and hereby empowered to exercise the right of eminent domain in the manner now provided by law, and to build and construct the said pipelines and appliances along or across highways, waters, railroads, canals and public lands, above or below ground, but not in a manner to be dangerous to persons or property, nor to interfere with the common use of such roads, waters, railroads, canals and public lands. The board of supervisors of any county through which any such line may pass shall have the power to regulate, within its respective limits, the manner in which such lines and appliances shall be constructed and maintained on and above the highways and bridges of the county. All such companies, associations of persons, municipalities, associations of municipalities, public utility districts authorized by and under the laws of the state of Mississippi or natural gas districts shall be responsible in damages for any injury caused by such construction or use thereof. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-24; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 24; Laws, 1984, ch 420, 2, eff from and after passage (approved April 23, 1984).
11-27-48. Information from Public Service Commission. No entity empowered under the laws of the State of Mississippi to exercise the power of eminent domain shall be required, as a condition precedent to exercising such power, to obtain from the Mississippi Public Service Commission any of the following: (a) A determination that the entity qualifies as one to which the Legislature has granted the power of eminent domain; (b) A determination that the entity has complied with state law in invoking the statutory power of eminent domain; or (c) A certificate of public convenience and necessity for the particular taking in question. However, this section shall not affect or alter in any way the terms and provisions contained in Sections 77-3-13, 77-3-17 and 77-3-21. Sources: Laws, 1997, ch. 453, 1, eff from and after passage (approved March 25, 1997).
11-27-49. Public schools. The boards of trustees of an agricultural high school, or agricultural high school and junior college, or any municipal separate school district, and the county board of education, in the case of other school districts, are authorized and empowered to exercise the right of eminent domain, for the purpose of acquiring property to be used for school and playground purposes. However, the rights of eminent domain created hereunder shall not be used for the condemnation of the property of any school or college whatsoever, either private, fraternal, sectarian or denominational. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-25; Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 25, eff from and after January 1, 1972. 11-27-51. Proceedings filed before 1972 not affected by chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be considered or construed to affect in any way any eminent domain proceeding filed before January 1, 1972 and such proceeding may be prosecuted to final conclusion according to the law in effect on the date such proceeding was filed, but the provisions of section 11-27-29 relating to direct appeals to the supreme court shall apply to cases pending in any county court on January 1, 1972 wherein no appeal has been taken. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or shall operate to negate, abridge or alter rights vested pursuant to any prior statutes repealed and reenacted hereby, or to affect judicial construction thereof. Sources: Laws, 1971, ch. 520, 27, eff from and after January 1, 1972.
11-27-81. Who may exercise right of immediate possession. The right of immediate possession pursuant to Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89, Mississippi Code of 1972, may be exercised only: (a) By the State Highway Commission for the acquisition of highway rights-of-way only; (b) By any county or municipality for the purpose of acquiring rights-of-way to connect existing roads and streets to highways constructed or to be constructed by the State Highway Commission; (c) By any county or municipality for the purpose of acquiring rights-of-way for widening existing roads and streets of such county or municipality; provided, however, that said rights-of-way shall not displace a property owner from his dwelling or place of business; (d) By the boards of supervisors of any county of this state for the acquisition of highway or road rights-ofway in connection with a state-aid project designated and approved in accordance with Sections 65-9-1 through 65-9-31, Mississippi Code of 1972; (e) By the Mississippi Wayport Authority for the purposes of acquiring land and easements for the Southeastern United States Wayport Project as authorized by Sections 61-4-1 through 61-4-13, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(f) By any county or municipality for the purpose of acquiring rights-of-way for water, sewer, drainage and other public utility purposes; provided, however, that such acquisition shall not displace a property owner from his dwelling or place of business; (g) By any county authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain under Section 19-7-41 for the purpose of acquiring land for construction of a federal correctional facility or other federal penal institution; or (h) By the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority for the purpose of acquiring land, property and rights-of-way for a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 or any facility related to the project as provided in Section 57-75-11(e)(ii). Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04.5; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 1; Laws, 1975, ch. 447; Laws, 1987 Ex Sess, ch. 24, 19; Laws, 1989, ch. 535, 8; Laws, 1990, ch. 470, 1; Laws, 1994, ch. 310, 2; Laws, 2000, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, 11, eff from and after passage (approved Nov. 6, 2000.)
11-27-83. Institution of proceedings; appraisal of property. If a plaintiff eligible to claim the right of immediate possession under the provisions of Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89 shall desire immediate possession of the property sought to be condemned, other than property devoted to a public use, the plaintiff shall so state in the complaint to condemn property filed with the circuit clerk pursuant to Sections 11-27-1 through 11-27-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall therein make and substantiate the following declaration concerning the governmental project for which the property is being condemned: That the plaintiff shall suffer irreparable harm and delay by exercising the right to condemn said property through eminent domain proceedings pursuant to Sections 11-27-1 through 11-27-49, as opposed to claiming the right of immediate possession of said property pursuant to Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89. The court, or the judge thereof in vacation, as soon as practicable after being satisfied that service of process has been obtained, shall appoint a disinterested, knowledgeable person qualified to make an appraisal of the property described in the complaint to act as appraiser. The appraiser, after viewing the property, shall return to the clerk of court within ten (10) days after his appointment, his report in triplicate, under oath, which report shall state: (1) the fair market value of the property to be condemned, determined as of the date of the filing of the complaint; (2) the damages, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole is taken, giving a total compensation and damages to be due as determined by the appraiser; and (3) his opinion as to the highest and best use of the property, and a narrative of the facts pertaining to his appraisal. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04.5; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 1; Laws, 1986, ch. 465, 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 69, eff from and after July 1, 1991.
11-27-85. Order granting right to immediate title and immediate entry; deposit. (1) Upon the filing of the report of the appraiser, the clerk shall within three (3) days mail notice to the parties and the court that the report has been filed. The court shall review the report of the appraiser and shall, after not less than five (5) days' notice thereof to the defendants, enter an order granting to the plaintiff title to the property, less and except all oil, gas and other minerals which may be produced through a well bore, and the right to immediate entry unless, for other cause shown or for uncertainty concerning the immediate public need for such property pursuant to Section 11-27-83, the judge shall determine that such passing of title, and right of entry should be denied. However, no person lawfully occupying real property shall be required to move from a dwelling or to move his business or farm operation without at least ninety (90) days' written notice prior to the date by which such move is required. (2) Upon entry of said order, the plaintiff may deposit not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of the compensation and damages as determined by the appraiser with the clerk of the court, and upon so doing, the plaintiff shall be granted title to the property, less and except all oil, gas and other minerals which may be produced through a well bore, and shall have the right to immediate entry to said property. The defendant, or defendants, shall be entitled to receive the amount so paid to the clerk of the court, which shall be disbursed as their interest may appear, pursuant to order of the court. (3) Notwithstanding any provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section to the contrary, title and immediate possession to real property, including oil, gas and other mineral interests, may be granted under this section to (a) any county authorized to exercise the power of eminent domain under Section 19-7-41 for the purpose of acquiring land for construction of a federal correctional facility or other federal penal institution, and (b) the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority for the purpose of acquiring land, property and rights-of-way for a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 and any facility related to such project. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04.5; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 1; Laws, 1986, ch. 465, 2; Laws, 1988, ch. 447, 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 70; Laws, 1994, ch. 310, 3; Laws, 2000, 3rd Ex Sess, ch. 1, 12, eff from and after passage (approved Nov. 6, 2000.)
11-27-87. Effect of insufficiency or excess of deposit. If the plaintiff takes title to and possession of the land condemned pursuant to the order of the court and the amount of compensation as determined upon final disposition of the case is in excess of the amount of the deposit, the plaintiff shall pay interest to the owner at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum upon the amount of such excess from the date of the filing of the complaint until payment is actually made. If the plaintiff takes title to and possession of the land condemned pursuant to the order of the court and the amount of the compensation as determined upon final disposition of the case is less than the amount of the deposit, the plaintiff shall be entitled to a personal judgment against the owner for the amount of the difference. Sources: Codes, 1972, 2749-04.5; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 1; Laws, 1988, ch. 447, 2; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 71, eff from and after July 1, 1991. 11-27-89. Compensation of appraiser; right to jury trial. The appraiser shall receive as compensation for his services such sum, plus expenses, as the court allows, which shall be taxed as cost in the proceedings. The sum allowed shall be based upon the degree of difficulty and the time required to perform the appraisal, but may not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) unless, in the opinion of the court, special circumstances warrant a greater sum. An order granting a sum greater than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) must describe in detail the special circumstances that warrant payment of a greater sum. The making of a deposit by the plaintiff or the withdrawal of said deposit by the defendant or defendants shall not prejudice the right of any party to a trial by jury in the special court of eminent domain to determine the fair market value of the property to be condemned and the damages, if any, to the remainder if less than the whole is taken, as provided in Sections 11-27-1 through 11-27-49, Mississippi Code of 1972.
Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04.5; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 1; Laws, 1991, ch. 573, 72; Laws, 1993, ch. 361, 1; Laws, 2000, ch. 451, 1, eff from and after passage (approved Apr. 18, 2000.) 11-27-91. Special funds and accounts of highway commission. The highway commission of the State of Mississippi is hereby authorized to set up and maintain such special funds and accounts as it may consider necessary and proper to make the deposits and pay the costs as authorized by Sections 11-27-81 to 11-27-89, and to pay such judgments as may be entered and such other costs as may be incidental to the acquisition of property for right-of-way purposes. Disbursement from such special funds shall be by check properly drawn against said fund signed by such personnel as may be duly authorized by the highway commission of the State of Mississippi. Sources: Codes, 1942, 2749-04.6; Laws, 1972, ch. 489, 2, eff from and after passage (approved May 10, 1972).