Opinion ID: 1540447
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: general jurisdiction and consent

Text: The first question that we must address is whether Delaware courts may assert general personal jurisdiction over a foreign corporation [3] upon the basis of that corporation's qualification to do business in Delaware and its appointment of an agent to receive service of process in Delaware pursuant to a registration statute. If we determine that such registration can constitute consent to the general jurisdiction of the Delaware courts, we must then analyze the constitutional validity of that consent. Although parties may not waive subject matter jurisdiction, they may waive personal jurisdiction. Insurance Corp. of Ireland v. Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee, 456 U.S. 694, 703, 102 S.Ct. 2099, 2105, 72 L.Ed.2d 492 (1982). Therefore, consent has been recognized as a basis for the exercise of general personal jurisdiction. In fact, [a] variety of legal arrangements have been taken to represent express or implied consent to the personal jursdiction of the Court. Id.; Armstrong v. Pomerance, Del.Supr., 423 A.2d 174, 176-79 (1980). [4]