Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-33 (2026)

Jurisdiction over foreign corporations and over nonresident individuals, partnerships, or associations

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Every foreign corporation, every individual not a resident of this state or his or her executor or administrator, and every partnership or association, composed of any person or persons not such residents, that shall have the necessary minimum contacts with the state of Rhode Island, shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the state of Rhode Island, and the courts of this state shall hold such foreign corporations and such nonresident individuals or their executors or administrators, and such partnerships or associations amenable to suit in Rhode Island in every case not contrary to the provisions of the constitution or laws of the United States.

(b) Service of process may be made on any such foreign corporation, nonresident individual or his or her executor or administrator, and such partnership or association within or without the state in the manner provided by any applicable procedural rule or in the manner prescribed by order of the court in which the action is brought.

(c) Nothing herein shall limit or affect the right to serve process upon the nonresident individual or his or her executor or administrator, or the partnership or association, or a foreign corporation within this state or without this state in any manner now or hereafter permitted by law.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 89 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1962–2025 · leading case: Cassidy v. Lonquist Mgmt. Co., LLC, 920 A.2d 228 (R.I. 2007).
Cassidy v. Lonquist Mgmt. Co., LLC, 920 A.2d 228 (R.I. 2007). · cites it 14× “To establish a prima facie showing of personal jurisdiction in Rhode Island, a plaintiff's allegations must satisfy the demands of Rhode Island's long-arm statute, § 9-5-33. Rose, 819 A.2d at 1250 . "The forum court possess personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant when…”
Bertozzi v. King Louie Int'l, Inc., 420 F. Supp. 1166 (D.R.I. 1976). · cites it 10× “G.L. § 9-5-33, which, they contend, does not apply.”
Astro-Med, Inc. v. Nihon Kohden Am., Inc., 591 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2009). · cites it 2× “[3] R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-33(a). [4] The claims against Nihon Kohden sound only in tort, but the claims against Plant include a breach of contract claim, which was submitted to the jury by special interrogatory and resulted in a verdict against Plant.”
Ben's Marine Sales v. Sleek Craft Boats, 502 A.2d 808 (R.I. 1985). · cites it 6× “1956 (1985 Reenactment) § 9-5-33, Rhode Island’s “long-arm” statute.”
Cerberus Partners, L.P. v. Gadsby & Hannah, LLP, 836 A.2d 1113 (R.I. 2003). · cites it 3× “[1956] § 9-5-33, the Rhode Island Long Arm Statute.”
Thompson Trading Ltd. v. Allied Lyons PLC, 123 F.R.D. 417 (D.R.I. 1989). · cites it 5× “Rhode Island’s long-arm statute is codified as G.L. § 9-5-33. 1 The United States Supreme Court has sought to define the Fourteenth Amendment boundaries of in personam jurisdiction in a long line of decisions.”
Best Van Lines, Inc. v. Tim Walker, Docket No. 04-3924-Cv, 490 F.3d 239 (2d Cir. 2007). “§ 5322; R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-33; Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.”
Rose v. Firstar Bank, 819 A.2d 1247 (R.I. 2003). · cites it 3× “” G.L.1956 § 9-5-33(a). As interpreted by this Court, § 9-5-33(a) permits the exercise of jurisdiction over nonresident defendants to the fullest extent allowed by the United States Constitution.”
Soares v. Roberts, 417 F. Supp. 304 (D.R.I. 1976). · cites it 4× “G.L. § 9-5-33 to examine the nature and quality of contacts with the forum in relation to the particular circumstances of the case.”
Driver v. Helms, 74 F.R.D. 382 (D.R.I. 1977). · cites it 4× “§ 1391 (e) and Rhode Island’s long arm statute, Section 9-5-33, Rhode Island General Laws (1956), as amended, and that venue is proper under 28 U.”
O'NEIL v. Picillo, 682 F. Supp. 706 (D.R.I. 1988). · cites it 2× “section 9-5-33; see Roger Williams General Hospital v.”
Rhode Island v. Atl. Richfield Co., 357 F. Supp. 3d 129 (D.R.I. 2018). · cites it 2× “, ("TPRI") has moved (unsuccessfully) to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction (ECF No.”
— R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-33(a) — 20 cases
Cassidy v. Lonquist Mgmt. Co., LLC, 920 A.2d 228 (R.I. 2007). “To establish a prima facie showing of personal jurisdiction in Rhode Island, a plaintiff's allegations must satisfy the demands of Rhode Island's long-arm statute, § 9-5-33. Rose, 819 A.2d at 1250 . "The forum court possess personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant when…”
Astro-Med, Inc. v. Nihon Kohden Am., Inc., 591 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2009). “[3] R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-5-33(a). [4] The claims against Nihon Kohden sound only in tort, but the claims against Plant include a breach of contract claim, which was submitted to the jury by special interrogatory and resulted in a verdict against Plant.”
Rose v. Firstar Bank, 819 A.2d 1247 (R.I. 2003). “” G.L.1956 § 9-5-33(a). As interpreted by this Court, § 9-5-33(a) permits the exercise of jurisdiction over nonresident defendants to the fullest extent allowed by the United States Constitution.”
Cerberus Partners, L.P. v. Gadsby & Hannah, LLP, 836 A.2d 1113 (R.I. 2003). “[1956] § 9-5-33, the Rhode Island Long Arm Statute.”
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