Opinion ID: 4514409
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Civil Conspiracy and Outrage

Text: With respect to Respondents’ remaining claims, we impress upon Respondents that West Virginia Code § 56-1-1 sets parameters on a plaintiff’s choice of forum and dictates where a civil action may be properly brought.18 To the extent it is necessary to explicitly so state, we hold that where a challenge is made to venue under Rule 12(b)(3) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, the burden is on the plaintiff to establish proper venue for the civil action in the county in which it is pending under the framework of West Virginia Code § 56-1-1.19 Respondents cannot establish venue in 18 See generally W. Va. Code § 56-1-1(a). 19 See syl. pt. 1, Wetzel County Sav. & Loan Co., 156 W. Va. 693, 195 S.E.2d 732 (“Where properly questioned by a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(3), W. Va. R. C. P., venue must be legally demonstrated independent of In personam jurisdiction of the defendant.”) (emphasis added). See also C.H. James & Co., Inc. v. Federal Food 12 Wyoming County for their civil conspiracy and outrage claims simply by saying that Petitioners have not shown why it should not be. Respondents contend that the civil conspiracy and outrage claims have no connection to Wyoming County, and the circuit court did not rely on either the civil conspiracy or outrage claims to support its finding that venue was appropriate in Wyoming County. The parties alleged to have conspired do not reside or have a principal place of business in Wyoming County and the tort was not alleged to have occurred in Wyoming County. The parties alleged to have committed or been the subject of the tort of outrage do not reside or have a principal place of business in Wyoming County and the tort of outrage was not alleged to have occurred in Wyoming County. Neither the complaint nor arguments made in response to Petitioners’ motion to dismiss set forth any allegations whatsoever that would establish venue in Wyoming County with respect to their outrage or civil conspiracy claims.