Specific Jurisdiction


Civil Procedure.  Personal jurisdiction that arises from a nonresident defendant’s minimum contacts with the state to adjudicate claims arising out of those contacts.

Specific jurisdiction exists over a nonresident defendant only if:

  1. the nonresident defendant purposefully directs his activities or consummates some transaction with the forum or resident thereof; or performs some act by which he purposefully avails himself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum, thereby invoking the benefits and protections of its laws;
  2. the claim arises out of or relates to the defendant’s forum related activities; and
  3. the exercise of jurisdiction comports with fair play and substantial justice, i.e., it is reasonable.

Schwarzenegger v. Fred Martin Motor Co.374 F.3d 797 (9th Cir. 2003).

Related entries