UI Test 3 Public Note: Personal Jurisdiction
A public civil procedure note on minimum contacts, purposeful availment, and fairness factors.
Personal Jurisdiction
Personal jurisdiction asks whether a court has power over a defendant. Specific jurisdiction requires purposeful contacts with the forum and a claim that arises out of or relates to those contacts. The defendant must purposefully avail itself of forum benefits, so jurisdiction is not based on random, isolated, or purely unilateral activity by the plaintiff.
After minimum contacts are shown, courts ask whether jurisdiction is consistent with fair play and substantial justice. Factors include the burden on the defendant, the forum state interest, the plaintiff interest in relief, judicial efficiency, and shared substantive policy interests.
General jurisdiction is broader but narrower in availability. A person is generally at home in domicile. A corporation is generally at home in its place of incorporation and principal place of business.
Key points
- Specific jurisdiction requires a claim arising from the defendant contacts with the forum.
- Purposeful availment prevents jurisdiction based on random or unilateral contacts.
- Fair play and substantial justice can defeat jurisdiction when litigation would be unreasonable.
- General jurisdiction usually exists where a defendant is at home.