Latin for Lawyers

FORUM

FORUM [L. The center of a community; the market place; later, a place where legal relief or remedy could be sought] A courthouse; the court; a tribunal. The place where justice is dispensed. Also, a public meeting place; a place for the exchange of discussion and ideas. FORUM ACTUS The court controlling or having jurisdiction over the place where the event or act at issue took place. FORUM CONSCIENTIAE A court with conscience or a sense of right and fairness. A court of equity. FORUM CONTRACTUS The court controlling the place where a contract was made. FORUM CONVENIENS That court which is most appropriate for resolution of a dispute or issue. FORUM DOMICILII The court which presides or has jurisdiction over a party’s place of residence. FORUM DOMICILII ACTORIS The court having jurisdiction over the plaintiff’s place of residence. FORUM DOMICILII REI The court having jurisdiction over the defendant’s place of residence. FORUM LITIS MOTAE The court in which the action is brought. FORUM NON CONVENIENS An inconvenient forum or court. The doctrine which enables a court to decline to hear a case even though it has jurisdiction, if in the court’s judg ment there is no compelling substantive reason for the case to be brought there and there is another court which would be more convenient or fairer to the parties. The principle which authorizes and enables a court to reject a liti gation if in the court’s judgment another court would be more appropriate. See INCONVENIENT FORUM FORUM REI GESTAE The jurisdiction in which the act at issue was done.

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