forum non conveniens

Definition

A doctrine allowing courts to dismiss cases that would be better heard elsewhere, essentially the legal version of 'not it!' Latin for 'inconvenient forum.'

Example Usage

The court granted the motion for forum non conveniens, shipping the case to a more appropriate jurisdiction 3,000 miles away.

Origin

Latin 'forum non conveniens,' meaning 'inconvenient forum'

Fun Fact

Forum non conveniens is a favorite tool for defending cases filed by foreign plaintiffs seeking generous American juries.

Source: Civil procedure and conflict of laws doctrine

Related Terms

Intermediate

dismissal with prejudice

A court's final decision that permanently bars a plaintiff from refiling the same claim, the legal equivalent of 'don't ever bring this nonsense here again.' The 'with prejudice' part means you got one shot and you blew it.

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parole

Early release from prison with strings attached, where freedom comes with a surveillance package and a curfew. You're technically out but under constant supervision, proving that forgiveness in the justice system is more of a trial period than an actual clean slate. Break the rules and you're back behind bars faster than you can say 'parole violation.'

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quid pro quo harassment

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arbiter

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Advanced

judicature

The fancy Latin-flavored word for everything related to judges doing their judging—the whole apparatus of courts, judicial power, and the process of administering justice. It's essentially the collective noun for the people in robes who decide if you're right or wrong. Legal scholars use it when 'the courts' sounds too pedestrian for their law review articles.

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alleging

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