Opinion ID: 2071192
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: evaluation under choice of forum act

Text: We now turn to the basis for the district court's dismissal of this action: its conclusion that Nebraska was not a reasonably convenient place for the trial of the action within the meaning of § 25-414. Although the Choice of Forum Act was adopted from the Model Choice of Forum Act, see Handbook of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (1968), that model act was not widely adopted, and was withdrawn in 1975, see Handbook of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws 100 (1975). As a result, there is little case law discussing the requirements of the Choice of Forum Act. But it is established that the language of § 25-414 was intended to prevent a court from exercising jurisdiction where that exercise would result in injustice or in substantial inconvenience to the parties. Handbook of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, Model Choice of Forum Act, prefatory note at 219 (1968). This language, together with the underlying question whether the exercise of jurisdiction is convenient for the parties, has sensibly been held to support the use of considerations relevant to the forum non conveniens doctrine to aid in the construction of the statute. See First Nat. Monetary Corp. v. Chesney, 514 F.Supp. 649 (E.D.Mich.1980). The doctrine of forum non conveniens (literally, an unsuitable court) provides that a state will not exercise jurisdiction if it is a seriously inconvenient forum for the trial of the action, provided that a more appropriate forum is provided to the plaintiff. See, Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 84 (1971); Black's Law Dictionary 680-81 (8th ed.2004). It refers to the discretionary power of a court to decline jurisdiction when the convenience of the parties and the ends of justice would be better served if the action were brought and tried in another forum. Qualley v. Chrysler Credit Corp., 191 Neb. 787, 217 N.W.2d 914 (1974). But the plaintiff's choice of a forum should not be disturbed except for weighty reasons, see Restatement, supra, comment c. at 251, and only when trial in the chosen forum would establish `oppressiveness and vexation to a defendant ... out of all proportion to plaintiff's convenience,' or when the forum is inappropriate' because of considerations affecting the court's own administrative and legal problems,' see American Dredging Co. v. Miller, 510 U.S. 443, 447-48, 114 S.Ct. 981, 127 L.Ed.2d 285 (1994). The trial court should consider practical factors that make trial of the case easy, expeditious, and inexpensive, such as the relative ease of access to sources of proof, the cost of obtaining attendance of witnesses, and the ability to secure attendance of witnesses through compulsory process. See In re Interest of C.W. et al., 239 Neb. 817, 479 N.W.2d 105 (1992). It is also appropriate to consider the advantages of having trial in a forum that is at home with the state law that must govern the case, rather than having a court in some other forum untangle problems in conflict of laws, and in law foreign to itself. See American Dredging Co. v. Miller, supra . But in any balancing of conveniences, a real showing of convenience by a plaintiff who has sued in his or her home forum will normally outweigh the inconvenience the defendant may have shown. Koster v. Lumbermens Mutual Co., 330 U.S. 518, 67 S.Ct. 828, 91 L.Ed. 1067 (1947). Unless the balance is strongly in favor of the defendant, the plaintiff's choice of forum should rarely be disturbed. Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 67 S.Ct. 839, 91 L.Ed. 1055 (1947). Thus, the question presented in this appeal, considering the applicable standard of review, is whether the facts taken in the light most favorable to Ameritas establish a prima facie showing that enforcement of the forum selection clause in this case would be reasonably convenient, that is, would not result in serious and substantial inconvenience to McKinney, considering the factors set forth above. We find, on our de novo review of the record, that Ameritas made a prima facie showing of jurisdiction and that the district court erred in granting McKinney's rule 12(b)(2) motion. We note, particularly, that Ameritas' offices are located in Nebraska and that many of the business records that may be pertinent to the trial of this action are also located in Nebraska. Compare Woodmen of the World Life Ins. Soc. v. Kight, 246 Neb. 619, 522 N.W.2d 155 (1994). Furthermore, the contracts at issue specify that the laws of Nebraska are to govern construction of the contracts; presumably, a Nebraska court would be in a better position to apply Nebraska law should it be required. Compare id. The district court's conclusion was based mainly on its reasoning that the primary evidence would be the testimony of the complainant, White, who could not be compelled to attend a trial in Nebraska. That may or may not prove to be the case; but at this juncture, on a rule 12(b)(2) motion, it is premature to conclude that the complainant's presumed unavailability in a Nebraska courtroom would produce `oppressiveness and vexation to [the] defendant ... out of all proportion to plaintiff's convenience.' See American Dredging Co. v. Miller, 510 U.S. at 447-48, 114 S.Ct. 981. Simply stated, the question is not whether Virginia would be a better place for this action to be tried. The question is whether or not Nebraska would be a reasonably convenient place for trial of the action or, in other words, whether Nebraska would be a place so substantially inconvenient that we should disregard Ameritas' choice of this forum and the parties' previous agreement that suits arising from these contracts would be tried in Nebraska. See Epps v. Stewart Information Services Corp., 327 F.3d 642 (8th Cir.2003). The evidence present in the record before us establishes a prima facie case that Nebraska is a reasonably convenient forum. With respect to the other requirements of the Choice of Forum Act, McKinney does not contend that Nebraska lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the act or that service of process was defective. See § 25-414. McKinney does argue in her appellate brief that the forum selection clauses should be found invalid as contained in contracts of adhesion. However, there is no suggestion in the record that this argument was presented to the trial court. An issue not presented to or decided by the trial court is not appropriate for consideration on appeal. Kubik v. Kubik, 268 Neb. 337, 683 N.W.2d 330 (2004). In any event, there is no evidence in the present record that would tend to show that McKinney's contracts with Ameritas were adhesion contracts. We conclude that Ameritas' final assignment of error has merit. The district court erred in granting McKinney's rule 12(b)(2) motion to dismiss.