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Forum Selection Clause Held Waiver of Removal Right

By Barry M. Klayman and Mark E. Felger
October 02, 2015

A forum selection clause in an agreement provides that the parties “irrevocably consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts in the state of Delaware.” Does the provision constitute a waiver of a party's right to remove the case to federal court if the other party files suit in a Delaware state court? It does according to U.S. District Judge Leonard P. Stark of the District of Delaware. In a short, four-page memorandum order in InterDigital v. Wistron, C.A. No. 15-478-LPS (D.Del. June 18, 2015), Stark granted plaintiff InterDigital's emergency motion to remand based solely on this language in the agreement's forum selection clause.

Background

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