forum non conveniens doctrine in New Jersey

2019Next, under section (a)(3) and the doctrine of forum non conveniens, "a court may decline jurisdiction where there is available another forum where trial will best serve the convenience of the parties and the ends of justice." Gore v. U.S. Steel Corp., 15 N.J. 301, 305 (1954).

2008The doctrine of forum non conveniens "is non-discriminatory and does not turn on considerations of domestic residence or citizenship. . . ." Gore v. United States Steel Corp., [ 15 N.J. 301, 311 , 104 A. 2d 670 (1954), cert. denied, 348 U.S. 861 75 S.Ct. 84 , 99 L.Ed. 678 (1954)].

2024New Jersey, including multiple locations in Essex County." Yet, the court recognized that Rule 4:3-3(a) provides there may be "a change of venue . . . for the convenience of the parties and witnesses in the interest of justice." Considering the doctrine of forum non conveniens, "an equitable principle that may be invoked once jurisdiction and venue are established," the court cited Kurzke v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 164 N.J. 159, 162 (2000), for the proposition that the doctrine "allows a court to decline jurisdiction when it would be inappropriate to try the case in the forum selected by

2021The doctrine of forum non conveniens "is equitable in nature and, therefore, decisions concerning its application ordinarily are left to the sound discretion of the trial court." Kurzke v. Nissan Motor Corp. in U.S.A., 164 N.J. 159, 165 (2000) (citations omitted).

2018Dynamics Corp., 205 N.J. 543, 559 (2011) (adopting A-1951-16T1 7 Gantes's significant hardship rule and denying the forum non conveniens dismissal motion in a personal injury case where the accident occurred in South Africa but the plaintiffs resided and worked in New Jersey); see also Greely v. Greely, 194 N.J. 168, 177 (2008) (acknowledging Gantes's significant hardship rule in rejecting the plaintiff's forum non conveniens claim in a child custody case).

2016In Yousef v. General Dynamics Corp., 205 N.J. 543, 548 (2011), the Court considered whether a suit brought in New Jersey by New Jersey residents injured while on a business trip in South Africa due to the alleged negligence of the defendant corporation and its employee-driver, a resident of Florida, should be dismissed under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.

2018In a November 30, 2016 written statement of reasons, the Chancery judge conducted a forum non conveniens analysis, weighing the public and private A-1951-16T1 5 factors under D'Agostino v. Johnson & Johnson, Inc., 225 N.J.

2014The language of the applicable statute is couched in terms similar to those used to describe the doctrine of forum non conveniens, requiring that the current forum be “inconvenient” and the other forum “appropriate.” Compare D’Agostino v. Johnson & Johnson, Inc., 225 N.J.Super. 250, 259, 542 A.2d 44 (App.Div.1988), affd, 115 N.J. 491 , 559 A.2d 420 (1989) (describing “the essence of the doctrine” of forum non conveniens as allowing a court to “decline jurisdiction whenever the ends of justice” demonstrate the chosen forum “would be inappropriate”) with N.J.S.A. 2A:34-71(b) (requiring that “[bj

2008The doctrine of forum non conveniens "is non-discriminatory and does not turn on considerations of domestic residence or citizenship. . . ." Gore v. United States Steel Corp., [ 15 N.J. 301, 311 , 104 A. 2d 670 (1954), cert. denied, 348 U.S. 861 75 S.Ct. 84 , 99 L.Ed. 678 (1954)].

2008The doctrine of forum non conveniens "is non-discriminatory and does not turn on considerations of domestic residence or citizenship. . . ." Gore v. United States Steel Corp., [ 15 N.J. 301, 311 , 104 A. 2d 670 (1954), cert. denied, 348 U.S. 861 75 S.Ct. 84 , 99 L.Ed. 678 (1954)].

2003When deciding whether to dismiss a complaint for forum non conveniens, the principal focus is whether the choice of forum presents an "element of harassment and vexation." Starr v. Berry, 25 N.J. 573, 584 , 138 A. 2d 44 (1958).

1988The doctrine of forum non conveniens, an equitable principle, is firmly embedded in the law of this State, see, e.g., Civic Southern Factors v. Bonat, 65 N.J. 329, 332-333 (1974); Wangler v. Harvey, 41 N.J. 277, 286 (1963); Starr v. Berry, 25 N.J. 573, 583-585 (1958); Vargas v. A.H.

2014The doctrine of forum non conveniens ‘“is firmly embedded in the common law of this State.’ ” Kurzke v. Nissan Motor Corp., 164 N.J. 159, 164 , 752 A.2d 708 (2000) (quoting Civic S. Factors Corp. v. Bonat, 65 N.J. 329, 332 , 322 A.2d 436 (1974)). “ ‘[T]he essence of the doctrine is that a court may decline jurisdiction whenever the ends of justice indicate a trial in the forum selected by the plaintiff would be inappropriate.’ ” Ibid, (quoting D’Agostino v. Plaintiff & Plaintiff, Inc., 225 N.J.Super. 250, 259 , 542 A.2d 44 (App.Div.1988), aff'd, 115 N.J. 491 , 559 A.2d 420 (1989)).

2014The doctrine of forum non conveniens ‘“is firmly embedded in the common law of this State.’ ” Kurzke v. Nissan Motor Corp., 164 N.J. 159, 164 , 752 A.2d 708 (2000) (quoting Civic S. Factors Corp. v. Bonat, 65 N.J. 329, 332 , 322 A.2d 436 (1974)). “ ‘[T]he essence of the doctrine is that a court may decline jurisdiction whenever the ends of justice indicate a trial in the forum selected by the plaintiff would be inappropriate.’ ” Ibid, (quoting D’Agostino v. Plaintiff & Plaintiff, Inc., 225 N.J.Super. 250, 259 , 542 A.2d 44 (App.Div.1988), aff'd, 115 N.J. 491 , 559 A.2d 420 (1989)).

2019The defendant, as the entity invoking the doctrine of forum non conveniens, bears the burden of establishing that New Jersey is not a convenient forum for this litigation. [Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235, 255 (1981).] However, less deference is accorded to [the] plaintiffs' forum choice in this case than would normally be accorded because of [the] plaintiffs' residence in the U.K., not in this State.

2007On appeal from a decision of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals holding that the District Court had incorrectly applied the doctrine of forum non conveniens to dismiss the plaintiffs' action, the Supreme Court reversed, holding that plaintiffs could not defeat the defendants' forum motion merely by showing that the substantive law that would be applied, were suit to be instituted in Scotland, was less favorable than that available in the United States — a circumstances the Court termed an "unfavorable change in law." The Court held that this occurrence "should ordinarily not be given conclusiv

2008The doctrine of forum non conveniens "is non-discriminatory and does not turn on considerations of domestic residence or citizenship. . . ." Gore v. United States Steel Corp., [ 15 N.J. 301, 311 , 104 A. 2d 670 (1954), cert. denied, 348 U.S. 861 75 S.Ct. 84 , 99 L.Ed. 678 (1954)].

1988Bull Steamship Co., *259 25 N.J. 293, 295 (1957), cert. den. 355 U.S. 958 , 78 S.Ct. 545 , 2 L.Ed. 2d 534 (1958); Gore v. United States Steel Corp., 15 N.J. 301, 310-311 (1954), cert. den. 348 U.S. 861 , 75 S.Ct. 84 , 99 L.Ed. 678 (1954), and elsewhere, see Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235 , 248 n. 13, 102 S.Ct. 252 , 262 n. 13, 70 L.Ed. 2d 419 , 431 n. 13 (1981), reh'g den. 455 U.S. 928 , 102 S.Ct. 1296 , 71 L.Ed. 2d 474 (1982); Blair, "The Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens in Anglo-American Law," 29 Colum.L.Rev. 1 (1929).

2014Co. v. Kepner, 314 U.S. 44, 55 , 62 S.Ct. 6, 11 , 86 L.Ed. 28, 34 (1941)).

2014Co. v. Kepner, 314 U.S. 44, 55 , 62 S.Ct. 6, 11 , 86 L.Ed. 28, 34 (1941)).

1995See Chalom v. Benesh, 234 N.J.Super. 248, 254 , 560 A.2d 746 (Law Div.1989).

1995See Chalom v. Benesh, 234 N.J.Super. 248, 254 , 560 A.2d 746 (Law Div.1989).

2011A plaintiffs choice of forum “may not be defeated upon a mere balance of conveniences.” Kurzke, supra, 164 N.J. at 170 , 752 A.2d 708 (quotation omitted). “[U]nless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiffs choice of forum should rarely be disturbed.” Gulf Oil, supra, 330 U.S. at 508 , 67 S.Ct. at 843 , 91 L.Ed. at 1062 ; see also Gantes v. Kason Corp., 145 N.J. 478, 499 , 679 A.2d 106 (1996) (“[Dismissal pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens *559 cannot occur if the transfer will result in significant hardship to the plaintiffs.” (citation omitted)).

2011A plaintiffs choice of forum “may not be defeated upon a mere balance of conveniences.” Kurzke, supra, 164 N.J. at 170 , 752 A.2d 708 (quotation omitted). “[U]nless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiffs choice of forum should rarely be disturbed.” Gulf Oil, supra, 330 U.S. at 508 , 67 S.Ct. at 843 , 91 L.Ed. at 1062 ; see also Gantes v. Kason Corp., 145 N.J. 478, 499 , 679 A.2d 106 (1996) (“[Dismissal pursuant to the doctrine of forum non conveniens *559 cannot occur if the transfer will result in significant hardship to the plaintiffs.” (citation omitted)).

2018Furthermore, our Supreme Court has cautioned "if the transfer will result in significant hardship to the plaintiffs" a court "may not dismiss the action under the doctrine of forum non conveniens." Gantes, 145 N.J. at 499 .

2018Ibid. "[W]here the plaintiff will be so adversely affected by the transfer of jurisdiction, the court may not dismiss the action under the doctrine of forum non conveniens." Ibid.

2017Varo v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., 400 N.J.

2011The defendant bears the burden of establishing that the plaintiffs choice of forum is “demonstrably inappropriate.” Varo v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., 400 N.J.Super. 508, 519-20 , 948 A.2d 673 (App.Div.2008) (citing Camden Iron & Metal, Inc. v. Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzberg & Ellers, L.L.P., 384 N.J.Super. 172, 180 , 894 A.2d 94 (App.Div.), certif. denied, 187 N.J. 83 , 899 A.2d 305 (2006)).

2014Bull Steamship Co., 25 N.J. 293 , 135 A.2d 857 (1957), cert. denied, 355 U.S. 958 , 78 S.Ct. 545 , 2 L.Ed.2 d 534 (1958)).

2014Bull Steamship Co., 25 N.J. 293 , 135 A.2d 857 (1957), cert. denied, 355 U.S. 958 , 78 S.Ct. 545 , 2 L.Ed.2 d 534 (1958)).

2008D'Agostino I, supra, 225 N.J.Super. at 262 , 542 A. 2d 44 ; see also Camden Iron & Metal, supra, 384 N.J.Super. at 180 , 894 A. 2d 94 ; Madan-Russo v. Grupo Posada, S.A. de C.V., 366 N.J.Super. 420, 427 , 841 A. 2d 489 (App.Div.), certif. denied, 180 N.J. 448 , 852 A. 2d 187 (2004). (i) We thus begin our analysis considering whether defendant has demonstrated the availability of an adequate alternative forum where trial will best serve the ends of justice — a necessary predicate to application of the forum non conveniens doctrine.

2008D'Agostino I, supra, 225 N.J.Super. at 262 , 542 A. 2d 44 ; see also Camden Iron & Metal, supra, 384 N.J.Super. at 180 , 894 A. 2d 94 ; Madan-Russo v. Grupo Posada, S.A. de C.V., 366 N.J.Super. 420, 427 , 841 A. 2d 489 (App.Div.), certif. denied, 180 N.J. 448 , 852 A. 2d 187 (2004). (i) We thus begin our analysis considering whether defendant has demonstrated the availability of an adequate alternative forum where trial will best serve the ends of justice — a necessary predicate to application of the forum non conveniens doctrine.

2018When a court granting a forum non conveniens dismissal "misconceives the applicable law . . . de novo review is A-1951-16T1 6 required because the [trial court's] exercise of the legal discretion lacks a foundation and becomes an arbitrary act[.]" Paradise Enter.'s Ltd. v. Sapir, 356 N.J.

2018Dynamics Corp., 205 N.J. 543, 559 (2011) (adopting A-1951-16T1 7 Gantes's significant hardship rule and denying the forum non conveniens dismissal motion in a personal injury case where the accident occurred in South Africa but the plaintiffs resided and worked in New Jersey); see also Greely v. Greely, 194 N.J. 168, 177 (2008) (acknowledging Gantes's significant hardship rule in rejecting the plaintiff's forum non conveniens claim in a child custody case).

2011See Heuer v. Heuer, 152 N.J. 226, 242 , 704 A.2d 913 (1998) (“The equity jurisdiction of our courts should be exercised to do justice, not to create injustice.”); cf. Olivieri v. Y.M.F.

2011See Heuer v. Heuer, 152 N.J. 226, 242 , 704 A.2d 913 (1998) (“The equity jurisdiction of our courts should be exercised to do justice, not to create injustice.”); cf. Olivieri v. Y.M.F.

2008DuPont de Nemours & Co., 935 F. 2d 604, 615 (3d Cir.1991) (quoting Gulf Oil, supra, 330 U.S. at 507-08 , 67 S.Ct. at 842-43 , 91 L.Ed. at 1062 ). *680 Like all other equitable remedies, the application of the forum non conveniens doctrine is ordinarily left to the sound discretion of the trial court.