South Dakota Codified Laws 15-6-23.1. Derivative actions by unincorporated associations
In a derivative action brought by one or more members to enforce a right of an unincorporated association, the association having failed to enforce a right which may properly be asserted by it, the complaint shall be verified and shall allege
(1) That the plaintiff was a member at the time of the transaction of which he complains or that his membership thereafter devolved on him by operation of law, and
Terms Used In South Dakota Codified Laws 15-6-23.1
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
(2) That the action is not a collusive one to confer jurisdiction on a court of the state which it would not otherwise have.
The complaint shall also allege with particularity the efforts, if any, made by the plaintiff to obtain the action he desires from the directors or comparable authority and, if necessary, from the members, and the reasons for his failure to obtain the action or for not making the effort. The derivative action may not be maintained if it appears that the plaintiff does not fairly and adequately represent the interests of the members similarly situated in enforcing the right of the association. The action shall not be dismissed or compromised without the approval of the court, and notice of the proposed dismissal or compromise shall be given to members in such manner as the court directs.
Source: SD RCP, Rule 23(b), as adopted by Sup. Ct. Order March 29, 1966, effective July 1, 1966; SDCL, § 15-6-23(b); SD RCP, Rule 23.1, as added by Sup. Ct. Order No. 2, March 31, 1969, effective July 1, 1969; SL 2006, ch 287 (Supreme Court Rule 06-13), eff. July 1, 2006.