Full Opinion

Cite as 2026 Ark. 185 SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS No. CV-26-301 Opinion Delivered: November 12, 2026 JASON MATTHEW LYNCH APPELLANT PRO SE APPEAL FROM THE WHITE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT [NO. 73CV-26-287] V. HONORABLE ROBERT BYNUM WHITE COUNTY JAIL; SHERIFF OF GIBSON, JR., JUDGE WHITE COUNTY; JOHN DOES 1–25; JANE DOES 1–10; PRIVATE MEDICAL PROVIDERS OF WHITE COUNTY JAIL; ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND UNKNOWN INSURERS APPELLEES APPEAL DISMISSED. COURTNEY RAE HUDSON, Associate Justice Jason Matthew Lynch appeals from a transport order directing that Lynch be transported from a federal prison in Oklahoma to White County, Arkansas, as well as a scheduling order setting a final hearing. Because the orders are not appealable, we dismiss the appeal. On April 1, 2026, Lynch filed in the White County Circuit Court a civil action for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, including a request for damages for torts he alleges were committed by the officials in the White County detention facility and other persons. On April 7, the circuit court entered a transport order directing the White County Sheriff to take custody of Lynch, who was incarcerated in a federal prison in Oklahoma, to be transported to White County for a May 14 hearing on the claims. On April 17, Lynch filed a notice of appeal from the orders, and on May 1, Lynch lodged the appeal in this court with a record consisting of only the complaint, the transport order, and the notice of appeal. He later filed a supplemental record containing the circuit court’s April 7 order setting a final hearing on May 14, 2026. We further note that Lynch has filed several motions in this court, including a pro se motion to submit a noncertified copy of a June 5, 2026 dismissal order and an “additional notice of appeal and supplemental statement of issues.” This court denied those motions. In his brief, Lynch primarily challenges the order that dismissed his complaint after he had lodged an appeal from the court’s pretrial orders. Lynch argues, among other things, that the circuit court did not have jurisdiction to enter the dismissal order. However, the order of dismissal is not before this court on appeal, and we will not address it. This is because, absent an effective notice of appeal, we lack jurisdiction to consider the appeal and must dismiss it. Worsham v. Day, 2017 Ark. 192, at 3–4, 519 S.W.3d 699, 701. Here, the record before us contains one notice of appeal, and it designates only the circuit court’s transport order and its scheduling order setting the final hearing date—not the later dismissal order. See Ark. R. App. P.–Civ. 3(e) (content of notice of appeal). Therefore, we have jurisdiction to address only the transport order and the scheduling order. Lynch argues that the April 7 transport and trial-setting orders deprived him of a meaningful opportunity to litigate his claims. We first address whether those orders are appealable under our rules. The appealability of a circuit court’s order is governed by Arkansas Rule of Appellate Procedure–Civil 2(a), which requires a final judgment or decree or one that, in effect, discontinues or determines the action and prevents a judgment from 2 which an appeal might be taken. Cf. Butler v. State, 311 Ark. 334, 842 S.W.2d 435 (1992) (criminal appeal). Rule 2(a) does not permit an interlocutory appeal from an order entered by a circuit court during pretrial procedures. Id. An order is final and appealable when it dismisses the parties from the court, discharges them from the action, or concludes their rights to the subject matter in controversy. Eureka Gun & Pawn, LLC v. City of Eureka Springs, 2026 Ark. 1, at 6. In contrast, an order that contemplates further action by a party or the court is not a final, appealable order. Id. The orders from which Lynch appealed were not final orders, nor do they meet the requirements for an interlocutory appeal as set forth in Arkansas Rule of Appellate Procedure–Civil 2(a)(2)–(13) (2025). Without a final order or an appealable interlocutory order, this court does not have appellate jurisdiction. Appeal dismissed. Special Justice CORY COX joins. WOMACK, J., concurs without opinion. WEBB, J., not participating. Jason Matthew Lynch, pro se appellant. One brief only. 3