In going all the way to the United States Supreme Court, Kelo v. City of New London brought eminent domain issues into the national spotlight. Because eminent domain cases present a conflict between the rights of property owners and the right of a sovereign government to seize property for public use, courts are required to strike a delicate balance. This constantly shifting balance between public and private rights means that this area of the law is constantly changing and evolving. In Ohio, as in many other jurisdictions, the last fifteen years have seen some significant developments in eminent domain law. This article examines some recent decisions from the last fifteen years of eminent domain cases in Ohio, and considers their effect on appropriation proceedings in the State, particularly in the areas of evidentiary, substantive, and procedural issues.
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