Court Opinion

ID: 9567571
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:55:44.911361+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:00:41.355778
License: Public Domain

SHEPARD, Chief Judge,
specially concurring.
I concur in the majority opinion to the extent that it holds that the selection of Idaho as the forum is correct. In my view, the majority opinion clearly notes that the contract in question here provides for venue in Florida for any litigation arising out of the agreement. The majority correctly holds that nevertheless, venue in Idaho is proper.
However, as also set forth in the majority opinion, paragraph twenty of the contract provides: “This agreement shall be interpreted, construed and governed by the laws of the state of Florida.” The majority opinion states that two issues are presented by this appeal, and both issues as stated, relate to the contract’s “choice of law” provision. It is my view that the decision of the district court, and the various assertions of the parties before this Court, deal only with the choice of forum, and not the “choice of law.” Hence, it is my view that when the cause is remanded to the district court as being the correct forum, nevertheless, the question of the application of either Idaho or Florida law remains for resolution by the trial court. I believe the issue as to which law is to be applied, Idaho or Florida, is not necessarily academic in the instant case because of the variety of allegations by plaintiff, such as breach of various portions of the contract, failure of consideration, rescission of the contract based on mutual mistakes, and for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of express implied warranties, and of particular significance, violations of the Idaho Consumer Protection Act, I.C. § 48-601 et seq.
For the above reasons I concur in the holding of the majority that the trial court’s denial of the motion to dismiss was correct on the basis that venue in Idaho was correct. In my view, the question as to which state law would govern in the action is not before this Court, and remains for resolution by the trial court.