Opinion ID: 779110
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Balancing Private and Public Interest Factors

Text: 31 Having demonstrated the availability of an adequate alternative forum, Texaco must next establish that the balance of private and public interest factors tilt[s] strongly in favor of trial in the foreign forum. Wiwa, 226 F.3d at 100.
32 Private interests include the relative ease of access to sources of proof; availability of compulsory process for attendance of unwilling, and the cost of obtaining attendance of willing, witnesses; possibility of view of the premises, if view would be appropriate to the action; and all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious and inexpensive. Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 508, 67 S.Ct. 839, 91 L.Ed. 1055 (1947). We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's conclusion that these interests weigh heavily in favor of an Ecuadorian forum. The relative case of access to sources of proof favors proceeding in Ecuador. All plaintiffs, as well as members of their putative classes, live in Ecuador or Peru. Plaintiffs sustained their injuries in Ecuador and Peru, and their relevant medical and property records are located there. Also located in Ecuador are the records of decisions taken by the Consortium, along with evidence of Texaco's defenses implicating the roles of PetroEcuador and the Republic. By contrast, plaintiffs have failed to establish that the parent Texaco made decisions regarding oil operations in Ecuador or that evidence of any such decisions is located in the U.S. 33 If these cases proceeded to trial, it would be onerous for a New York court to manage the translation difficulties arising from cases with 55,000 putative class members of different indigenous groups speaking various dialects. In addition, it would be far more feasible for an Ecuadorian court to view the polluted areas in question than for a New York court to do so. We also find significant that the Republic and PetroEcuador, neither of which are parties to the current suits, could be joined if the cases were resumed in Ecuador. See Piper Aircraft, 454 U.S. at 259, 102 S.Ct. 252 (noting that inability to implead potential third-party defendants supports holding trial in Scotland). We agree with the district court's observation that in the absence of the Ecuadorian Republic as a party, a U.S. court would be incapable of effectively ordering several aspects of the equitable relief sought in the complaints. 34 To the extent that evidence exists within the U.S., plaintiffs' concerns are partially addressed by Texaco's stipulation to allow use of the discovery already obtained. Furthermore, Texaco's counsel agreed at oral argument that Texaco would not oppose further discovery in Ecuador that would otherwise be available in the U.S. 35 Finally, plaintiffs raise two additional practical concerns: 1) They contend the filing fee for any civil action in Ecuador is cost prohibitive for plaintiffs, many of whom are low-income subsistence farmers; and 2) there is currently a travel advisory by the U.S. State Department for the Ecuadorian province of Sucumbios, where plaintiffs assert trial would be held. It is sufficient answer that these contentions need not be recognized when raised for the first time on appeal. In addition, however, plaintiffs acknowledge the passage of new law in Ecuador whereby filing fees for indigent persons are reduced to a minimal level. With regard to the travel advisory, plaintiffs have given no explanation as to why litigation must be conducted in the Sucumbios province.
36 Public interest considerations include administrative difficulties associated with court congestion; the unfairness of imposing jury duty on a community with no relation to the litigation; the interest in having localized controversies decided at home; and avoiding difficult problems in conflict of laws and the application of foreign law. Gilbert, 330 U.S. at 508-09, 67 S.Ct. 839. The district court was within its discretion in concluding that the public interest factors tilt in favor of dismissal. 3 37 We conclude that the district court was within its discretion in dismissing the actions on the basis of forum non conveniens. 4