Federal Court Squarely Enjoins Oklahoma Courts from Exercising Jurisdiction over Tort Claims under Compact

Here is Tuesday’s judgment in the Chickasaw/Choctaw case: 2010-06-29 (38) Judgment.

Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations Win Injunction against Oklahoma Courts for Accepting Jurisdiction over Claims under their Gaming Compact

Here is the order in Choctaw Nation and Chickasaw Nation v. State of Oklahoma (W.D. Okla.): choctawchickasaworder.

If you’ll recall, the Oklahoma Supreme Court in a series of cases held that state courts were “courts of competent jurisdiction” to take jurisdiction over tort claims brought under a Class III gaming compact approved by Oklahoma voters and, later, several Oklahoma tribes.

Oklahoma tribes (with the State consenting) then invoked the arbitration provision of the compacts, arguing the Supreme Court had violated the terms of the compact. They were successful.

This federal suit followed. Very interesting case.