Document: 363 U.S. 335 80 S.Ct. 1084 4 L.Ed.2d 1254 Honorable Julius J. HOFFMAN, Judge of the United States District Court for Northern Illinois, Eastern Division, Petitioner,v.John F. BLASKI et al. Philip L. SULLIVAN, Chief Petitioner, v. Otto BEHIMER and John A. Roberts. Nos. 25, 26. Argued April 19 20, 1960. Decided June 13, Mr. Charles Merriam, Chicago, Ill., petitioner hoffman. C. Butler, Sullivan. Daniel V. O'Keeffe, respondents Blaski others. Warren E. King, Behimer Justice WHITTAKER delivered opinion Court. 1 To relieve against what was apparently thought to be harshness dismissal, under doctrine forum non conveniens, an action brought in inconvenient one two or more legally available forums, Gulf Oil Corp. Gilbert, 330 501, 67 839, 91 L.Ed. 1055, concerned by reach Baltimore & Ohio R. Co. Kepner, 314 44, 62 6, 86 28,1 Congress, 1948, enacted 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), U.S.C.A. which provides: 2 's 1404. Change venue. 3 '(a) For convenience parties witnesses, interest justice, a district court may transfer any civil other division where it might have been brought.' The instant cases present question whether Court, has properly brought, is empowered 1404(a) action, on motion defendant, plaintiff did not right bring it. 5 No. Blaski.—Respondents, others, residents this patent infringement Texas Howell corporation controlled him, alleging that defendants are of, maintain their only place business in, City Dallas, Texas, they infringing respondents' patents. After being served with process filing answer, moved, Illinois.2 Respondents objected ground that, inasmuch as reside, business, infringe patents could Illinois district, courts lacked venue over action3 ability command jurisdiction defendants;4 therefore had and, hence, without power district. Without mentioning objection raised, found 'the should granted witnesses justice,' ordered case transferred Thereupon, moved Fifth Circuit leave file petition writ mandamus directing vacation order. That court, holding '(t)he purposes would unduly circumscribed if made 'in justice' waive but seek transfer,' denied motion. Ex parte Blaski, 245 F.2d 737, 738. 6 Upon receipt certified copy pleadings record, assigned Hoffman's calendar. promptly order remanding make thereby vested action. expressing his view 'weight reason logic' favored 'retransfer Texas,' Hoffman, misgivings, then filed Seventh Hoffman reverse hearing rehearing, Circuit, '(w)hen Congress provided (in 1404(a)) (of action) 'where brought,' hardly open doubt referred * case,' writ, judge dissenting. 260 317, 320. 7 26, Behimer.—Diversity citizenship existing, respondents, Roberts, New York, respectively, stockholders' derivative minority stockholders Utah Refining Corporation, corporation, behalf themselves others similarly situated, Standard Company Foundation, Inc., Indiana corporations licensed do doing damages claimed sustained through alleged illegal acquisition assets at inadequate price. 8 Utah.5 were incorporated Utah, action6 defendants;7 raised objection, proposed 'for Utah. 9 its hearing, following decision supra, writ. 261 467. 10 settle conflict arisen among circuits respecting proper interpretation application 1404(a),8 we certiorari. 359 904, 79 583, 570; 361 809, 50. 11 sacrifice slight tenable position, commendably narrowed contentions scope relevant inquiry. points contention sharpened first observing contest. Discretion judges involved. Propriety remedy assailed. No claim here denying mandamus, precluded from case.9 Petitioners concede these actions respective transferor forums; statutory exist either transferee districts,10 within courts.11 They concede, too, 'not unlimited,' 'may utilized direct brought," like superseded 507, statute requires 'an alternative proceed.' 12 Petitioners' 'thesis' sole remedial, Collett, 337 55, 71, 69 944, 946, 93 1207, broadly construed, when so phrase brought' held relate time bringing also transfer; 'if such adjudicate issues brought.'12 (Emphasis added.) argue interim between it, move residence to, or, corporations, begin transaction some done, construed empower defendants, district; similarly, if, here, consent submit latter 13 We agree. think can interpreted mean, petitioners' theory required, now rebrought, defendants' consent.' This said, different context, 'unambiguous, (and) clear,' page 58, unequivocal words legislative history (establish) indeed meant said.' National Lines, 78, 84, 955, 958, 1226. Like 322, dissenting Judges Hastie McLaughlin Paramount Pictures, Inc. Rodney, Cir., 186 111, 119, correctly answered contention: 14 'But see how conduct defendant after suit instituted add forums 'it In normal meaning language Section directs attention who considering situation existed instituted.' 15 It doubted courts, every entertain character involved, obvious acquire particular courts. acquired those validly thereto 1404(a). Of course, venue, person, waived. A having subject matter jurisdiction, waives failing seasonably assert even simply making default. Commercial Casualty Ins. Consolidated Stone Co., 278 177, 179—180, 49 98, 99, 73 252; Neirbo Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Ltd., 308 165, 60 153, 84 167. But another depend upon wish waiver but, rather, 'might plaintiff. 16 thesis urged petitioners violence plain inject gross discrimination. thesis, adopted, finding convenience, desired willing defenses persons, regardless fact Conversely, permit plaintiffs showing same personal defendants. Nothing history, suggests unilateral objective not, guise interpretation, ascribe discriminatory purpose. agree that: 17 'If commenced, sue independently wishes (the If he does right, immaterial subsequently (makes himself subject, consent, otherwise, forum).' 321, 469. 18 Inasmuch (plaintiffs) districts, follows judgments Appeals correct must affirmed. Affirmed. 20 STEWART, concurring 25. 21 Two Courts disagreed about federal law, conscientious sometimes do. From point efficient judicial administration resulting litigation no applause. But, out, case, merits I principles res judicata inapplicable. event, Circuits resolved, happened will happen again. 25 22 FRANKFURTER, whom HARLAN BRENNAN join, dissenting.* 23 My special disagreement concerns arising out considered later again adjudicated Circuit. cannot join Court's approval re-examination. true Sullivan Behimer, decided today, settles disagreed, recur. however, isolated case. general principle stake. addition, while today problem questions involving section readily give rise conflicting views eleven Appeals. Under opinion, example, always depends statutes, person constitutional dimensions, there obviously substantial opportunity matters. ought forestall situations potential controversy kind unseemliness discloses. 24 Plaintiffs Texas. Defendants pursuant Illinois. Finding sought require set aside transfer. plaintiffs' thus fully examined rejected circumstances before Leave denied, duly transferred. 737. assignment calendar disregard explicit appropriate Appeals, send back advanced precisely already namely, Transfer had, view, erroneously approved Plaintiffs' Still accepting them, appellate way Initially, denied. On prior wrong. authorize 'remanded' whence come, go forward there. 317. 'remand' 570. 26 refused approval, full consideration evidence deciding. issue reached contrary legal conclusion. adjudication level system parties. Because involved transferability consequence Circuit's once reopened, all wasted motion, delay expense normally entails. Unless until acts, litigants trial forward. Each hear sent other. 27 approves. suggest powerless, review, did, applicability occasion review been, suggests, 'to protect jurisdiction,' undertook resolve regarding Yet decides much ignored arriving result. treated just never am loss appreciate why considerations bearing good justice underlie technical apply defer previous decision. 'Public policy dictates end litigation; contested shall bound result contest; matters tried forever settled voluntarily appears, presents heard, absence fraud, thereafter concluded judgment tribunal submitted cause.' Baldwin Iowa Traveling Men's Ass'n, 283 522, 525—526, 51 517, 518, 75 1244. One suppose especially important enforcing comity equal authority. propriety makes deference coordinate stronger. course allows persisting concurred sets courts: begins, ordered. Not remain unsettled unnecessarily long accommodate double consideration, shows, unless resolves matter. Surely seemly remedies, controverted provisions Code encourage, discourage, quick settlement preclude creating, impasse remove. serve ends 'convenience' 'justice' actions. perverts litigated, turn, thousand miles distant, delaying year half, preliminary forward, least year's delay. 29 vouchsafed claims due duplication remedies Why single entirely adequate aggrieved transfer? Once decided, included ended matter, except certiorari, declined exercise Nor wise nature procedural jurisdictional controversy. Technically controls jurisdiction. 'We allegation fraud obtaining judgment, examine earlier determination actual contest parties, litigation.' Stoll Gottlieb, 305 172, 59 134, 138, 83 104. See Surely, unfundamental receive similar respect facts same. scheme rights remedial aimed enhancing fair consonant duplicate procedure statute, forestalling final pre-trial expeditiously possible, causing wasteful expense, depriving effectiveness achieving created. 30 31 concern effective At providing Federal another. main statutes necessarily deal classes cases, regard occasional operate vexatiously. devised avoid needless hardship miscarriage empowering recognize calling relief. provides although begun falling applicable rubric judged criteria justice. terms follows: 32 'For 33 part last phrase, 'any significance this: though overwhelmingly standpoint 'justice,' given almost insure trial, oppressive forum. 34 singularly unmindful treachery versatility our deny mere English carry than meaning. Rule Rules Civil Procedure, 'commenced' complaint court. As used synonymous 'brought' filed, perhaps districts litigation. alone, well refer places been' process, light provision, speak generally Or alone limitations, preventing reaching face considerations, i.e., amenability service, period them none well.1 And extent defendant's election, surely tell failure raise objections taken into account determining refers timely is, 'a right' 35 relatively commonplace demonstrates section, merely words, define precision this. Action A, statute. Defendant B, submitting interests instead which, there, unable him process. moving stipulates waiving agrees disposed stipulation prejudiced lack B impossibility, original serving Is effected? finds 'plain,' themselves, place, 36 amenable characteristics whereby prevent cause Almost core indisputable application, plainly applies maintenance clear, English, because peculiar deemed prepared waive, effectively may, objections? clear experience lower gives compelling proof Courts, located parts Nation, concrete These are, use familiar firing line, intimate, continuous touch needs functioning unambiguous. There anything uniformity expected unambiguous direction. severe differences ever forced forum, conditions.2 With motions transfer, virtually dictated 'justice.'3 applied read now,' giving effect transfer.4 hand, '(s)ection contemplates venue.'5 37 most often, majority ruled 'plain' seven avoided both originally.6 three implied contrary, relevant, brought.'7 discussing consented be.8 turn presence number suable court.9 service wholly irrelevant plaintiff's consent.10 said compellingly precise, unambiguous, 'plain words' 38 revealing. six decisions us. 1958, 317; Sullivan, Third favor 1951, 111. First Second Torres Walsh, 1955, 221 319; re Josephson, 1954, 218 174. neither nor chance defendant. Anthony Kaufman, 193 85; 1957, All detail Thus rulings problem, half well. maintains unambiguously means says does. 39 creates own verbal prison dictate concededly 'justice.' Moreover, applying, language, formula nowhere districts.' Congress. Although grammatically plausible submit, established interpretation. fact, rephrasing, distinguished Congress' phrasing, narrowest possible operation very few, any, 'right' sue, unobjectionable impediments limitations rely defeat 40 then, short mechanical situation. Indeed, extraordinary worthy twelve years enacted. conclude, does, inexorably designated inherent force state conclusion conceals choice, extracted words. 41 resolving ambiguity concerning litigation, particularly ambiguous direction system. crux realization limitation power. dealing, beyond confer, locality lawsuit, rules regulating designed mainly litigants. (T)he law suit—the authority exercised—though defined legislation relates disposition. (A statute) 'merely accords privilege suit, assert, election.' 179, 252.' 168, 154, reiterating forcefully General Investment Lake Shore 261, 43 106, 244, Lee Chesapeake 653, 230, 443. basic difference 'between court's litigant's historic courts.' 154. 42 Applying one, removal originally speaking unanimously Van Devanter, discriminatingly reminded '(i)t affirmed court) maintained seasonable company sued there.' analysis striking sanctioned partly 'there purpose extending removals accorded statutes) since instance defendants.' 273, 275, 244. also, effect, 443, overruling Wisner, 203 449, 150, 264, qualifying Moore, 209 490, 585, 52 904. rule governing affect afford object chosen, Judicial Code. 1406(b), 1406(b). discussion free system, expounded codified, adjudicate, competing here? acquiescence. whose acquiesced going appear presumptively, strong impediment effecting made. counsel otherwise objects, whereas ordinarily, acquiesce choice powerful argument whenever requested Such bears emphasis. dictate, moves. legitimate proceeding presumably reflected becomes proceedings wanting 44 restricts warranted day create difficult problems ascertaining non-corporate conceivable relation provision assure convenient trial. 45 necessary preserve provision. hold consents remove quality limitation. compel obtain device proceed, inconvenient. limit change dispute confer consent.11 Title U.S.C., U.S.C.A., phrased 'shall' 'must' brought,12 limiting where, provisions, 'may,' 'shall,' assuming existence jurisdiction.13 these, sued. 46 statement Reviser's Notes, accompanying 1948 Code, 'was drafted accordance conveniens.'14 doctrine, dismiss U.S 506—507, 842, '(i)n conveniens comes play, presupposes process; furnishes them.' accordance' narrower nonstatutory conveniens. Investigation disclosed several dismissal condition voluntary submission objection. Canada Malting Paterson Steamships, D.C., 802, 804, affirmed, 285 413, 424, 416, 76 837; Giatilis Darnie, 171 F.Supp. 751, 754; Bulkley, Dunton Paper Rio Salado, 115, 116; Libby, McNeill Libby Bristol Line 386, 389; Agra, 351; Strassburger Singer Mfg. 263 App.Div. N.Y.S.2d 424; Wendel 258 1084, 259 732, 96. Cerro De Pasco Copper corp. Knut Knutsen, 187 990, Swift Packers Compania Caribe, 339 684, 697—698, 70 861, 869, 94 1206: improper shown remit citizen foreign country assuring security obtained attachment libellant assurance 837 (supra).' familiarity dismissing plaintiff, agreement suppose, description doctrice conveniens,' likewise 47 resting meaning' constitute 'gross discrimination' regards 'discrimination' sterile concept. Mutuality empty abstract doctrine; summarizes reality dealing Whether party sense 'discriminated' certainly served. served, made, meaningful sense? viewed isolation 'discrimination.' It, all, operates temper degree enormous unobjectionable, placed choose will; satisfy burden demonstrating lie, hardship, situation, respected. 48 summary, conclude another, contains ambiguities resolved deals. question, self-contained contained regular Those rules, dispute, take proceed with' 1404 (a) drafted, took obligated submit. rested notions unfairness wrenching objects. consequences survive necessity find restrict few drastically relieving vexatious capriciously, drastic counseled movant essence role regulations, limited chosen basis presumed convenience. extremes mindful jurisprudence (1) determined solely rigid invoke work generality cases. extreme responding inappropriate. (2) determined, each element undesirability second involves too desirable responsive undesirable according little, nothing, one; away 50 plain, balance, compromise, extremes. spirit read. ordinary prevail, determine allow great hardship; prevail. impose arbitrarily countervailing reign namely recognizing affirmatively answer entail burdensome improperly administered, prove plaintiffs. Thus, arbitrary imposes, warranted. implies distrust balance even, dispose quickly frivolous proving prejudicial real inconvenience. 'Such apprehension discipline disinterestedness fashioning procedure. reflects attitude warned Holmes, whole procedure: 'Universal universal incompetence.' Graham States, 231 474, 480, 148, 151, 58 319.' Kerotest C-O-Two Fire Equipment 342 180, 185, 72 219, 222, 96 200. doubts competence wisely administer Whatever salutary event appreciation ordering gained parceling areas discretion mechanically, distinctions relevance manner ordinarily administered operative Against rare abuse, corrective supervisory ultimately Notes 1404, asserted validity pending pretrial discovery steps developed amount useful stated transferred, enter appearance 1400(b), quoted note 10, infra. 4(f) Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 11, asserted, found, reasons, officers directors, stockholders, reside books records substantive governs less congested one. requested, appearances 1391(c), confusion. Compare Foster-Milburn Knight, 181 949, 952—953, 85, 319. ways. Blackmar Guerre, 190 427, 429, Ninth originally. Shapiro Bonanza Hotel 185 777, 780. held, five dissenting, upheld (but district). josephson, purport Fettig Canning Steckler, 188 715; Wilson Kansas Southern D.C.W.D.Mo., 101 56; Reid, D.C.E.D.Ark., 104 260, 266. Several reasons sentences. orders remand, petitions interlocutory, merits, (3) entered Here 1651(a), 1651(a); Magnetic Engineering Dings 178 866, 869—870; 951; 174, 177; 319, 321 petition, forsook still remained attack appeal When, therefore, assailed hold, appeal, say delays futile Venue prescribed '(b) Any resides, committed acts business.' Stonite Products Melvin Lloyd 315 561, 780, 1026; Fourco Glass Transmirra 353 77 787, 786. '(c) regarded purposes.' '(f) Territorial Limits Effective Service. 'All subpoena anywhere territorial limits provides, state. 45.' expressed 'could Id., 114. (This Blaski. joined 351, 1093. Behimer. BRENNAN, 345, 1090. See, e.g., Felchlin American Smelting D.C.S.D.Cal.1955, 136 577 (transfer executor qualified court); Masterpiece Productions, Artists D.C.E.D.Pa.1950, 90 750 because, alignment different, involuntary party, destroying complete diversity citizenship); Lucas York Central D.C.S.D.N.Y.1950, 88 536 corporate status destroyed court). Arvidson Reynolds Metals D.C.W.D.Wash.1952, 107 (denying local it). Dufek Roux Distrib. D.C.S.D.N.Y.1954, 125 716; Barnhart B. Rogers Producing D.C.N.D.Ohio 1949, 595; Troy Poorvu, D.C.Mass.1955, 132 864; D.C.E.D.Ark.1952, 260; Hirl, D.C.S.D.Iowa 1952, 89 72; McGee Pacific D.C.S.D.N.Y.1957, 151 338; Halford, D.C.E.D.Wisc.1952, 295; Herzog Steel Tube 98 607; Mitchell Gundlach, D.C.Md.1955, 169; McCarley D.C.W.D.N.Y.1950, 643. 72, 74. Cain Bowater's Newfoundland Pulp Mills, D.C.E.D.Pa.1954, 127 950. Johnson Harris, D.C.E.D.Tenn.1953, 112 338, 341. Hill Upper Mississippi Towing D.C.Minn.1956, 141 692; Welch Esso Shipping D.C.S.D.N.Y.1953, 611; Mire 612; 949; RKO Radio D.C.N.Y.1951, 103 Howell, D.C.N.D.Ill., March 14, 1958. Electric Transit Warehouse D.C.W.D.Mo.1955, 817; Tivoli Realty D.C.Del.1950, 278; 577. 338 (dictum). Silbert Nu-Car Carriers, 111 357; Hampton Theaters, Film Distributing D.C.D.C.1950, 645. Ferguson Ford Motor 45; Glasfloss Owens-Corning Fiberglas 967. 643; 864. cited 1, supra. §§ 1391, 1392(a) (b), 1393(a) 1396—1399, 1401 1403, 1392(a, b), 1393(a, 1401, 1403. Magruder's 184. Note subsection 'Subsection permitting proper. example need prosecuted Employer's Liability Act accident occurred employee resided Ohio. new further, so.'

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