Legal Document

466 U.S. 408 104 S.Ct. 1868 80 L.Ed.2d 404 HELICOPTEROS NACIONALES DE COLOMBIA, S.A., Petitioner,v.Elizabeth HALL et al. No. 82-1127. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Nov. 8, 1983. Decided April 24, 1984. Syllabus Petitioner, a Colombian corporation, entered into contract to provide helicopter transportation for Peruvian consortium, alter ego joint venture that had its headquarters in Houston, Tex., during consortium's construction pipeline Peru state-owned oil company. Petitioner has no place business Texas and never been licensed do there. Its only contacts with State consisted sending chief executive officer Houston negotiate accepting New York bank account checks drawn by consortium on bank, purchasing helicopters, equipment, training services from manufacturer, personnel manufacturer's facilities training. After owned petitioner crashed Peru, resulting death respondents' decedents citizens who were employed respondents instituted wrongful-death actions state court against petitioner. Denying petitioner's motion dismiss lack personam jurisdiction over it, trial judgment jury verdict favor respondents. The Civil Appeals reversed, holding was lacking, but turn reversed Court. Held: Petitioner's insufficient satisfy requirements Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment hence allow assert one trip purpose negotiating cannot be regarded as contact "continuous systematic" nature, thus support an assertion general jurisdiction. Similarly, acceptance is negligible significance purposes determining whether sufficient Texas. Nor purchases helicopters equipment manufacturer related trips basis court's Rosenberg Bros. & Co. v. Curtis Brown Co., 260 516, 43 170, 67 L.Ed. 372. Mere purchases, even if occurring at regular intervals, are not enough warrant State's nonresident corporation cause action purchases. And fact sent connection did enhance nature Pp. 413-419. Thomas J. Whalen, City, George E. Pletcher, Justice BLACKMUN delivered opinion 1 We granted certiorari this case, 460 1021, 103 1270, 75 493 (1983), decide correctly ruled foreign arising out or corporation's activities within State. 2 * Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia, S.A. (Helicol), principal city Bogota country. It engaged providing companies South America. On January 26, 1976, Helicol Peru. Four among those lost their lives accident. Respondents survivors representatives four decedents. 3 At time crash, Consorcio, working Consorcio named Williams-Sedco-Horn (WSH).1 Tex. formed enable venturers enter Petro construct running interior westward Pacific Ocean. law forbade any non-Peruvian entity. 4 Consorcio/WSH2 needed move personnel, materials, area. In 1974, upon request Consorcio/WSH, Helicol, Francisco Restrepo, flew conferred three venturers. meeting, there discussion prices, availability, conditions, fuel, supplies, housing. Restrepo represented could have first job 15 days. Consorcio/WSH decided accept proposed Restrepo. began performing before agreement formally signed November 11, 1974.3 written Spanish official government stationery provided residence all parties would Lima, further stated controversies submitted courts. addition, it make payments Helicol's Bank America City. App. 12a. 5 Aside negotiation session between other During years 1970-1977, purchased (approximately 80% fleet), spare parts, accessories more than $4 million Bell Helicopter Company Fort Worth. period, prospective pilots Worth ferry aircraft also management maintenance visit same period order receive "plant familiarization" technical consultation. received City Panama Fla., accounts $5 First National Houston. 6 Beyond foregoing, authorized agent service process performed operations sold product reached Texas, solicited employee based there, recruited real personal property maintained office establishment records shareholders State.4 None domiciled Tr. Oral Arg. 17, 18,5 hired work project. 7 District Harris County, Company, Helicol. filed special appearances moved it. denied. consolidated trial, $1,141,200 respondents.6 174a. 8 Appeals, District, Court, lacking. 616 S.W.2d 247 (Tex.1981). justices dissenting, initially affirmed Appeals. Pet. Cert. 46a-62a. Seven months later, however, rehearing, withdrew prior opinions and, again intermediate court. 638 870 (Tex.1982). ruling courts jurisdiction, held long-arm statute reaches far permits. Id., 872.7 Thus, question remaining consistent Ibid. II 9 operates limit power defendant. Pennoyer Neff, 95 714, 24 565 (1878). satisfied when asserted corporate defendant "certain minimum [the forum] such suit does offend 'traditional notions fair play substantial justice.' " International Shoe Washington, 326 310, 316, 66 154, 158, 90 (1945), quoting Milliken Meyer, 311 457, 463, 61 339, 342, 85 278 (1940). When controversy "arises of" defendant's forum, said "relationship defendant, litigation" essential foundation Shaffer Heitner, 433 186, 204, 97 2569, 2579, 53 683 (1977).8 10 Even arise relate forum State,9 due offended subjecting corporation. Perkins Benguet Consolidated Mining 342 437, 72 413, 96 485 (1952); see Keeton Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 770, 779-780, 1473, 1480-1481, 79 790 (1984). Perkins, addressed situation which Japanese occupation Philippine Islands, president manager mining Ohio he conducted behalf He kept company files directors' meetings office, carried correspondence relating business, distributed salary two active accounts, act transfer agent, supervised policies dealing rehabilitation properties Philippines. short, through president, "ha[d] carrying continuous systematic, limited, part business," exercise "reasonable just." U.S., 438, 445, S.Ct., 414, 418. 11 All present case concede claims "arise of," to, Texas.10 must explore determine they constitute kind systematic found exist Perkins. hold not. 12 undisputed Basically, contract-negotiation session; bank; sums; Bell's 13 transportation-services described 320, 160, There indication ever requested respect location identity drawn. Common sense everyday experience suggest that, absent unusual circumstances,11 check generally little consequence payee matter left discretion drawer. Such unilateral activity another party third person appropriate consideration justify See Kulko California Superior 436 84, 93, 98 1690, 1697, 56 132 (1978) (arbitrary subject parent where chooses spend while having custody child pursuant separation agreement); Hanson Denckla, 357 235, 253, 78 1228, 1239, 1283 (1958) ("The claim some relationship requirement State"); Lilly, Jurisdiction Over Domestic Alien Defendants, 69 Va.L.Rev. 85, 99 (1983). 14 focused finding agree assessment, Court's 372 (1923) (Brandeis, J., unanimous tribunal), makes clear trips, standing alone, small retailer Tulsa, Okla., dealt men's clothing furnishings. applied license York, nor brought established regularly wholesalers large portion merchandise Tulsa store. sometimes made visits concluded: "Visits inference [New York]." 518, 171. This acknowledged repudiate Rosenberg. 318, 159. accordance Rosenberg, we mere purchase transactions.12 can conclude way enhanced package goods Helicopter. brief presence employees attending sessions significant buyer retail store 1697 (basing 3-day 1-day stopovers "would mockery limitations jurisdiction). III 16 Amendment.13 Accordingly, reverse 17 so ordered. 18 BRENNAN, dissenting. 19 Decisions applying may constitutionally particular most often weighing facts. See, e.g., 92, (1978); id., 101-102, 1701-1702 (BRENNAN, dissenting). To extent, today's decision follows usual pattern. Based essentially facts, concludes "general jurisdiction" Although my independent facts leads me different conclusion, infra, 423-424, issue neither implausible unexpected. 20 What troubling about opinion, implications might approaches constitutional addresses. First, limits because, view, underlying "not aris[e] relat[e] State." Ante, 409. Then, relies 1923 372, without considering retains validity after our recent pronouncements concerning permissible reach By posing deciding presented manner, I fear saying realizes potential particular, relying precedent whose premises long discarded, refusing consider distinction "relate to" causes contacts, placing severe type amount will minimum. 21 contrast, believe sufficiently important, action, reasonable Given purposefully availed itself benefits obligations given direct "does [the] justice,' (1945) (quoting (1940)), touchstone jurisdictional analysis under Clause. therefore dissent. 22 expressly "an defendant." 418, n. 12. ante, 415, 10. Having framed way, obliged address holdings (1952), supra. considered . business" forum. 414. Under circumstances "to just 418 (citing Shoe, supra, 317-320, 158-160). Nothing suggests, necessary 23 looks guidance until today dubious subsequent expansion 1945. company's State, combined officials, making purchases.1 Reasoning analogy, attempt, ascertain narrow view adopted comports "the fundamental transformation national economy" occurred since 1923. McGee Life Ins. 355 220, 222-223, 199, 200-201, 223 (1957). World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. Woodson, 444 286, 292-293, 100 559, 564-565, 62 490 (1980); 308-309, 585-586 dissenting); 250-251, 1237-1238, (1958); 260, 1243 (Black, failure, fatal analysis. vast economy past several decades primary rationale expanding broadening opportunities available participants interstate commerce, increased frequency corporations actively pursue commercial transactions throughout various States. turn, become both desirable leeway bringing these scope respective jurisdictions. 25 unique novel idea. As noted 1957: 26 "[M]any touch involve separated full continent. With increasing nationalization commerce come great increase mail across lines. modern communication much less burdensome sued defend himself engages economic activity." McGee, 200-201. 27 Volkswagen, 293, (reaffirming "[t]he historical developments accelerated generation decided"); 1237-1238. 28 Moreover, "trend toward nonresidents," 222, 200, entirely "traditional justice," control inquiry take advantage offered States, them imposed should expect fulfill amenability significantly affected activities. 29 numerous frequent clearly falls category defendants forum's many years, trained use consult seller matters.2 negotiations took Taken together, demonstrate obtained transaction eminently face attach participation transactions. allows 30 fails distinguish legal principles controlled decisions unlike each cases, alleged original specific case. 31 asserting implicate courts, nn. 12, necessarily removes reality actual consideration.3 refuses "related "give rise" action. difference standards although initiated basis, 32 premised crash joined lawsuits because services, including pilot involved Specifically, respondent Hall claimed her complaint "Helicol legally responsible own negligence employee." 6a. Viewed light allegations, directly led agreed precise being used crash. caused actually 5, 22. simply therefore, wholly unrelated Rather, Hall's complaint.4 Because expected amenable 33 Despite declines suit. Apparently, reflects interpretation review. 415-416, nonetheless possible read imply inapplicable rule unjustifiable bases power.5 34 Limiting cases arose vagaries substantive pleading For example, error. though assumes "did 'arise of,' [is] to," 415. If, applicable required negligent element error, added allegation pilot, then presumably applicable. 35 Our dependent formal requirements. least focus fairness reasonableness whenever arises relates reasonable, meet standard, affirm Williams Sudamericana, Ltd., Delaware corporation; Sedco Construction Corporation, Horn International, Throughout record entity referred WSH. refer hereinafter Consorcio/WSH. acknowledge executed 22-23. 79a; Brief 3. airline, Aerovias owns approximately 94% capital stock. remainder Corporacion Viajes American individuals. 2, 2. Respondents' residential defeat otherwise proper 780, 1481, (1984); Calder Jones, 783, 788, 1482, 1486, 804 mention merely show nothing possibly harm suffered occur Defendants directed verdicts them. cross-claim 167a. cross-plaintiff $70,000. Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat.Ann., Art. 2031b (Vernon 1964 Supp.1982-1983). reads relevant part: "Sec. Any irrespective Statute respecting designation resident agents, maintain designated whom done acts engaging shall deemed equivalent appointment Secretary proceedings wherein party. 4. Act, doing entering whole either committing tort recruiting residents, intermediary located employment inside outside last sentence § 1979 Tex.Gen.Laws, ch. 245, 1, became effective August 27, 1979. relied rulings U-Anchor Advertising, Inc. Burt, 553 760 (Tex.1977); Hoppenfeld Crook, 498 52 (Tex.Civ.App.1973); O'Brien Lanpar 399 340 (Tex.1966). province, course, interpreted statute. coextensive exercises exercising "specific Von Mehren Trautman, Adjudicate: A Suggested Analysis, Harv.L.Rev. 1121, 1144-1164 (1966). Brilmayer, How Contacts Count: Limitations Jurisdiction, 1980 S.Ct.Rev. 77, 80-81; Harv.L.Rev., 1136-1144; 786, 1485. 14; 26-27, 30-31. argued we, contrary dissent's implication, post, 419-420, "view" issue. dissent suggests erred drawing contacts. Post, 420. criticism somewhat puzzling, goes urge really two. 427-428. consequences argument Absent briefing issue, decline questions (1) terms "arising describe connections (2) what sort tie determination exists. whether, types differ, "relates analyzed financial health continued ability honor draft questionable, institution. cited proposition commission single occasional impose obligation liability thought confer authority enforce it." Arguably, stands us need continuing i.e., alternative traditional minimum-contacts analysis, doctrine "jurisdiction necessity." 211, 37, 2583, (1977). conclude, failed carry burden showing together record, Colombia adoption necessity—a potentially far-reaching modification existing law—in absence complete record. leaves open intended jurisdiction." 159). If anything Brandeis' concerned 517, 171 sole manner extent there"); (the 417. resuscitation bearing takes note "enhanc[e] [because the] Helicol." Presumably, statement recognizes interdependent markets necessitates complicated contracts seller, well personnel. Ironically, modern-day realities denigrate require concomitant reach. 421-423. result, balance struck loses sight ultimate inquiry: Cf. (1958). conceded parts oral arguments proceed assumption exists, portions opposite: "If concern Solicitor General [appearing amicus curiae] here refrain exposure founded. "Respondents' state, incidental operating maintaining ties, relations However, coupled ties form 13-14. position admittedly clear, preferable specifically keep control," flown treetop fog condition, whereby vision impaired," "such flying negligence," proximate crash." 167a-168a. findings, ordered pay $1 damages Compare 1144-1163 (1966), 80-88. 100-101,

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