§ 16-63-505 - Verification requirement. - Arkansas Statutes

16-63-505. Verification requirement.

For any claim asserted against a person or entity arising from possible privileged communication or an act by that person or entity that could reasonably be construed as an act in furtherance of the right of free speech or the right to petition government for a redress of grievances under the United States Constitution or the Arkansas Constitution in connection with an issue of public interest or concern, the party asserting the claim and the party's attorney of record, if any, shall be required to file contemporaneously with the pleading containing the claim a written verification under oath certifying that:

(1) The party and his or her attorney of record, if any, have read the claim;

(2) To the best of the knowledge, information, and belief formed after reasonable inquiry of the party or his or her attorney, the claim is well grounded in fact and is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law;

(3) The act forming the basis for the claim is not a privileged communication; and

(4) The claim is not asserted for any improper purpose such as to suppress the right of free speech or right to petition government of a person or entity, to harass, or to cause unnecessary delay or needless increase in the cost of litigation.