Opinion ID: 1427054
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Scope of the Forum Selection Clause In the Instant Case

Text: We turn now to decide whether the language in the recording contract mandating that any legal proceedings that may arise out of it be brought in England encompasses Phillips' suit. However important a forum selection clause is to the efficient functioning of international business, see, e.g., Scherk v. Alberto-Culver Co., 417 U.S. 506, 516-17, 94 S.Ct. 2449, 41 L.Ed.2d 270 (1974), it is a creature of contract. Plaintiff's choice of forum in bringing his suit in federal court in New York will not be disregarded unless the contract evinces agreement by the parties that his claims cannot be heard there. Cf. Louis Dreyfus Negoce S.A. v. Blystad Shipping & Trading Inc., 252 F.3d 218, 224 (2d Cir.2001) (noting that an arbitration clause, a creature of contract, does not compel arbitration of a dispute that parties did not intend to submit to arbitration).