can a lawyer state that governing law should be in a state where lawyer is not licensed

by Brigitte Hand 6 min read

Lawyers can engage in the practice of law only in the state(s) where they are licensed. They are not limited to advising only on the law of the state in which they are licensed, although they should advise on the substantive law of another state only if competent to do so.May 31, 2021

Can a lawyer practice in another state?

If perhaps you are a lawyer near a state border, like NYC, St. Louis, Omaha, Philadelphia, etc., or you may have to relocate for family. You may also be an attorney planning to grow your law firm and serve clients from other states. Can lawyers practice in any state? Mostly, no.

Do I need a state bar license to practice law?

Even fields of law that are primarily federal—bankruptcy, immigration, etc.—may require a State Bar license. However, there has been considerable litigation and debate amongst the courts on that issue. The Sixth Circuit said yes, but your local State Bar may disagree.

When does a lawyer have to be authorized to practice law?

A lawyer may be admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction on a regular basis or may be authorized by court rule or order or by law to practice for a limited purpose or on a restricted basis. Paragraph (a) applies to unauthorized practice of law by a lawyer, whether through the lawyer’s direct action or by the lawyer assisting another person.

Can a lawyer practice law if he is not physically present?

Presence may be systematic and continuous even if the lawyer is not physically present here. Such a lawyer must not hold out to the public or otherwise represent that the lawyer is admitted to practice law in this jurisdiction. See also Rule 7.1.

How many states administer the Uniform Bar Exam?

Can an attorney practice in another state?

Can an attorney practice law in the state where they passed the bar exam?

About this website

image

Can a US lawyer practice in any state?

The simple answer is no: Attorneys must be admitted to the bar in each state they wish to practice in. However, legal answers are rarely so simple, and indeed, there are exceptions that would allow an attorney from one state to practice in another state.

Can a lawyer practice in any state in India?

Generally, the person needs to be enrolled in the list of any State Bar Council for becoming an advocate. Only advocates have the exclusive right to practice law under the concerned Act[2].

Can an out of state attorney practice in California?

In some instances, attorneys who are properly licensed and in good standing in another state are allowed to practice in California. For example, attorneys who practice only federal law, such as immigration, may practice in California but be licensed in another state.

What is considered the unauthorized practice of law?

Black's Law Dictionary defines unauthorized practice of law as "The practice of law by a person, typically a nonlawyer, who has not been licensed or admitted to practice law in a given jurisdiction."

Can any lawyer practice in any court?

Now, lawyers can practise, as a matter of right, in all courts and forums, including tribunals or any quasi-judicial authority. Fifty years after the Advocates Act, 1961, came into force, the Centre has notified Section 30 of the Act — with effect from Wednesday — to enable advocates to practise anywhere.

Can a advocate fight case in other state?

Yes , of course, as per Advocate Act. (Amended).

Can a New York lawyer practice in California?

An attorney who passed the New York bar exam and is admitted to practice in New York, for example, cannot practice law in California without first passing the California bar exam and being admitted in California. (Some states do allow attorneys to use bar admissions in other states to “waive” into the bar.

Can a New York lawyer work in California?

California Requirements Foreign-trained lawyers who have been admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction outside the U.S. are often eligible to take the bar exam in California without completing any additional requirements.

What constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in California?

The crime of unauthorized practice of law in California consists simply of: Either advertising or holding oneself out as practicing or entitled to practice law, OR actually practicing law, While one is not an active member of the California State Bar or otherwise authorized to practice law by a statute or court rule.

Who are not allowed to commit the unauthorized practice of law?

Black's Law Dictionary defines unauthorized practice of law as “The practice of law by a person, typically a non lawyer, who has not been licensed or admitted to practice law in a given jurisdiction. QUERIES ; 1. Definition of Persons entitled to practice law.

Is practicing law without a license a crime?

While license requirements differ slightly from state to state, all states make it illegal to engage in the practice of law without first obtaining a license. Anyone engaged in the practice of law without a license commits a criminal act.

What should paralegals do to avoid the unauthorized practice of law?

Paralegals can avoid the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) by becoming familiar with their state's rules. Rules against UPL specify that paralegals (or anyone who is not licensed to practice law) cannot provide attorney-client services to people, among other prohibitions.

The Top Three Unauthorized Practice of Law Scenarios for Paralegals to ...

Below are three situations that i commonly see throughout the United States that may result in Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) investigations.

The Unauthorized Practice of Law | Paralegal Division - TXPD

The Unauthorized Practice of Law Cynthia Minchillo. What is the unauthorized practice of law (UPL)? In Texas, there is no law called "the unauthorized practice"; however, the State does define the "Practice of Law" in the Government Code, Section 81.101 as follows:

Rule 5.5: Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law

Law Firms And Associations (a) A lawyer shall not practice law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, or assist another in doing so.

Rule 3.7: Lawyer as Witness - American Bar Association

(a) A lawyer shall not act as advocate at a trial in which the lawyer is likely to be a necessary witness unless: (1) the testimony relates to an uncontested issue; (2) the testimony relates to the nature and value of legal services rendered in the case; or (3) disqualification of the lawyer would ...

CHAPTER 4. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT PREAMBLE: A LAWYER’S ...

RRTFB September 19, 2019 . CHAPTER 4. RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT . PREAMBLE: A LAWYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES . A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the

What is Governing Law?

The governing law clause, sometimes called choice of law clause, determines what state laws will be used to interpret the contract and which jurisdiction will oversee the enforcement of its terms.

Why is governing law important?

Governing law can be important because a dispute may hinge on differences in local laws. However, the parties in a contract are not necessarily bound to where they live or where the contract is signed. A governing law provision allows the parties to agree to use a particular state's laws to interpret the agreement.

What is a connection required in a court case?

Connection required - Courts also may want to make sure there is a connection between the state chosen for the governing law clause and the parties or type of transaction, such as the contract being signed in the state or one of the parties operating a business in the state. Corporate contracts - Contracts governing corporate behavior usually must ...

What is the choice of law provision?

Courts generally respect the selection by the parties. Though it can be an important part of a contract, the choice of law provision is usually brief. For example: “This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”. To avoid surprises, parties agreeing to a contract become familiar with the laws ...

Can California law be used in New York?

You could have a governing law clause that chooses to use California law but requests disputes to be decided by a court in New York. Jurisdiction selection can be crucial. If there's a dispute, it will have to be resolved in the state of jurisdiction. This is often a strategic decision, but sometimes, attorneys take a more practical approach.

Can a law be modified by contract?

Exceptions to Governing Law Clause. Some laws cannot be modified by contract and are enforceable despite the governing law clause. For example: Insurance contracts - Some states require that their consumer protection laws relating to insurance are applied in their states. Connection required - Courts also may want to make sure there is ...

Does Upcounsel accept lawyers?

If you need help setting up a contract, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

Why is it important for an attorney to represent the employer outside the jurisdiction?

The lawyer’s ability to represent the employer outside the jurisdiction in which the lawyer is licensed generally serves the interests of the employer and does not create an unreasonable risk to the client and others because the employer is well situated to assess the lawyer’s qualifications and the quality of the lawyer’s work. ...

What does limiting the practice of law to members of the bar protect?

Whatever the definition, limiting the practice of law to members of the bar protects the public against rendition of legal services by unqualified persons. This Rule does not prohibit a lawyer from employing the services of paraprofessionals and delegating functions to them, so long as the lawyer supervises the delegated work ...

Can a lawyer practice law in a jurisdiction?

Law Firms And Associations. [1] A lawyer may practice law only in a jurisdiction in which the lawyer is authorized to practice. A lawyer may be admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction on a regular basis or may be authorized by court rule or order or by law to practice for a limited purpose or on a restricted basis.

Can a lawyer assist a non-lawyer?

Lawyers also may assist independent nonlawyers, such as paraprofessionals, who are authorized by the law of a jurisdiction to provide particular law-related services. In addition, a lawyer may counsel nonlawyers who wish to proceed pro se. [4] Other than as authorized by law or this Rule, a lawyer who is not admitted to practice generally in this ...

Is a matter involving other jurisdictions a significant connection?

The matter, although involving other jurisdictions, may have a significant connection with that jurisdiction. In other cases, significant aspects of the lawyer’s work might be conducted in that jurisdiction or a significant aspect of the matter may involve the law of that jurisdiction.

Does a lawyer violate the C-2 rule?

Under paragraph (c) (2), a lawyer does not violate this Rule when the lawyer appears before a tribunal or agency pursuant to such authority. To the extent that a court rule or other law of this jurisdiction requires a lawyer who is not admitted to practice in this jurisdiction to obtain admission pro hac vice before appearing before a tribunal ...

Why would a lawyer want to practice law in another state?

Louis, Omaha, Philadelphia, etc., or you may have to relocate for family. You may also be an attorney planning to grow your law firm and serve clients from other states.

How to get into a state without a bar exam?

Even if you did not take the uniform bar, there are other ways to get admitted in a state without taking another bar exam. Most states have some form of reciprocity where they will allow lawyers admitted in a reciprocal state to gain admission on application—no exam required. The states typically have some experience requirements For example, you may need five years of actively practicing law before you can be admitted on application or motion. BarReciprocity.com is a great resource where you can click on any state on the map and find out all of the rules regarding reciprocity for that state.

How often do you have to take the bar exam?

With the law, they only offer a bar exam twice per year. Also, moving between states can throw your career off for months or even years. This is because you have to deal with licensure and character and fitness requirements.

Is the Uniform Bar Exam the same as the UBE?

The Uniform Bar Exam is at once a welcome change and a frustrating misnomer. While each state that adopted the UBE administers the same test, the rules outside that test vary greatly, including:

Do you need a separate state law exam?

A separate state laws exam or course may be required as well. At least one state that I encountered required residency or an intent to reside indefinitely within the geographic boundaries of that state for admission via UBE score transfer. As I said, the process for multi-state lawyers is anything but uniform.

Is it hard to become a multi state lawyer?

Today, with reciprocity and uniform bar admission, becoming a multi-state lawyer is a lot less challenging than before. If your circumstances require it or if you find it advantageous for your law firm to practice law in another state, adding a second or third bar license is certainly achievable despite the paperwork involved. Just make sure you’re prepared for some administrative work on trust accounts and CLEs.

Is the second bar exam stressful?

The second bar exam was infinitely less stressful. Although taking bar exams in multiple states to become a multi-state lawyer is challenging, it could be a good option. This is because you’ll know how hard the first exam was. The second exam likely will not be that stressful.

Why do you pick the same law and jurisdiction?

Although choosing a jurisdiction and a governing law are different things, nonetheless one would usually pick the same law and jurisdiction because the enforceability of the contract depends on the legal system that will enforce it.

Why is it important to select the governing law and jurisdiction clause?

The courts will first need to decide on the right governing law and jurisdiction clause if parties do not specify them . This will often lead to costly legal battles as each party may try and seek a judgement in a jurisdiction that is most favourable to them, ...

Why is it important to include a governing law clause in a contract?

To minimise the impact of such tricky jurisdictional issues, it is important to include a governing law clause and a jurisdictional clause to express the parties' choice of the country’s laws and the legal system should govern any contractual disputes. A jurisdiction clause represents the parties' decision to resolve their disputes in court.

What is the purpose of a jurisdiction clause?

The purpose of a jurisdiction clause is to elect the Court which will hear a dispute arising under an agreement between the parties. It determines which Court will adjudicate the dispute and apply the chosen law in a selected jurisdiction.

What is a foreign party without a service agent?

Foreign Party without a Service Agent. For a foreign party without a service agent, permission to serve outside the jurisdiction needs to be obtained from the court.

What does "made within the jurisdiction" mean?

In general: was made within the jurisdiction; or. was made by or through an agent trading or residing within the jurisdi ction; or. is governed by the law of that jurisdiction; or. contains a term to the effect that the court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine any claim in respect of the contract.

What is governing law clause?

A governing law clause determines the law which will apply to an agreement and disputes arising under it. It provides which set of legal principles will be applied in determining the rights and obligations of the parties to a contract (e.g. whether valid contract formed, whether debt owing, how material is the breach whether the right to damages for breach of contract etc.). Therefore there should be a choice of law clause in any contract which has an international element.

What did the Bar Association do to protect the lawyers?

The BAR ASSOCIATION then sent organizers to all the other states and explained to the lawyers there how much more profitable and secure it would be for them, as lawyers, to join this union and be protected by its bylaws and cannons . They issued to the lawyers in each state a charter from the Illinois organization. California joined in 1927 and a few reluctant states and their lawyers waited until the 1930's to join when the treasonous act became DE FACTO and the Citizen's became captives. Under this system, the lawyers could guarantee prejudged decisions for the privileged class against the lower class.

Why do lawyers rig a trial?

The lawyer-judge also tampers, fixes, and rigs the trial when he orders anything stricken from the record, or when he "rules" certain evidence and the truth to be inadmissible. This makes the trial and transcript FIXED and RIGGED, because the jury does not hear the REAL TRUTH and ALL THE FACTS.

What is the American Bar?

It is quite simple to see that a great fraud and conspiracy has been perpetrated on the people of America. The American Bar is an offshoot from London Lawyers' Guild and was established by people with invasive monopolistic goals in mind. In 1909 they incorporated this TRAITOROUS group in the state of Illinois and had the State Legislature (which was under the control of lawyers) pass an unconstitutional law that only members of this powerful union of lawyers, called the ABA, could practice law and hold all the key positions in law enforcement and the making of laws. At that time, Illinois became an outlaw state and for all practical purposes, they seceded from the United States of America.

What is a state Supreme Court cert?

The "CERTIFICATE" from the State Supreme Court: ONLY authorizes, to practice Law "IN COURTS" As a member of the STATE JUDICIAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT. Can ONLY represent WARDS OF THE COURT, INFANTS, PERSONS OF UNSOUND MIND (SEE CORPUS JURIS SECUNDUM, VOLUME 7, SECTION 4.)

Is a lawyer a licensed attorney?

Lawyers and Attorneys Are Not Licensed To Practice Law

Can lawyers do better than they are?

The American people must stop thinking that lawyers are better than they are and can do a better job than they can before the courts of America. Under the Common Law and the Laws of America, no where is it expressly given for anyone to have the power or the right to form a Corporation.

Does the legislative branch have the power to issue court orders?

The legislative branch of government does NOT have the Constitutional Power to issue Court Orders or any other kind of Orders to people, as a fiction court or a court/corporation for profit and gain cannot reach parity with a lawful man. ONLY presidents and governors have the Constitutional Power to grant PARDONS, but lawyers and lawyer-judges are unconstitutionally granting PARDONS with "immunity from prosecution." Citizens are not permitted to act like people in the courts. The Citizen (2nd class) is told that he does not know how to fill out fancy lawyer forms; that he is not trained in the law; that he does not know court rules and procedures; etc. This is unconstitutional "lawyer system" only HEARSAY SUBSTITUTES (lawyers) NOT under oath, have access to the fiction/for profit and gain courts, even though ONLY sworn testimony and evidence can be presented in court. Anything else is Bill of Attainder, NOT permitted under the U.S. Constitution Article 1, Sections 9 and 10. The U.S. Constitution does NOT give anyone the right to a lawyer or the right to counsel, or the right to any other HEARSAY SUBSTITUTE. The 6th Amendment is very SPECIFIC, that the accused ONLY has the right to the ASSISTANCE of counsel and this ASSISTANCE of counsel CAN BE ANYONE THE ACCUSED CHOOSES WITHOUT LIMITATION.

What happens when an attorney accepts a job as an in-house counsel?

When an attorney accepts a job as an in-house counsel, the potential for problems associated with the unauthorized practice of law similarly present themselves. Different states have different regulations and procedures that must be followed when an out-of-state attorney relocates to become in-house counsel.

How to become an in-house counsel in New York?

Attorneys admitted to practice and in good standing in another state or territory of the United States, or in the District of Columbia, who also possess good moral character and fitness required for a member of the bar of the state of New York, may be registered as in-house counsel upon application . The application must include a certificate of good standing from each jurisdiction where the applicant is licensed, a letter from each jurisdiction’s grievance committee or body responsible for accepting complaints certifying whether charges have ever been filed, an affidavit from the applicant agreeing to submit to the disciplinary authority of the state and to comply with the New York Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR Part 1200) and statement that he or she will only perform legal services on behalf of the employer, and an affidavit from an officer, director or general counsel of the employer attesting to the fact that applicant will be employed as an attorney.

How to become a registered in house counsel in California?

First, the employer must employ at least 5 full-time employees or employee a California attorney who is an active licensee in good standing by the bar in the State of California. Second, while the attorney requesting status as registered in-house counsel may practice law while awaiting review of his or her application, a determination of moral character and fitness is required.

How long does it take to notify the state of California of a termination of attorney's employment?

As with Virginia, an officer, director, or general counsel of the employer must by declaration attest that the attorney to be registered as in-house counsel will be employed as an attorney for the employer and that the employer will notify the state within 30 days of the cessation of the attorney’s employment in California.

What is an in-house counsel?

Rules of the Court of Appeals for the Registration of In-house Counsel (22 NYCRR Part 522) defines an in-house counsel as an attorney who is employed full time in the State of New York by a non-governmental corporation, partnership, association or other legal entity (including subsidiaries and affiliates) that is not itself engaged in the practice of law or rendering of legal services outside the organization.

What is a limited license in Illinois?

Illinois. A lawyer licensed to practice in the highest court in any United States state, territory, the District of Columbia, or foreign jurisdiction, or who is otherwise authorized to practice in a foreign jurisdiction, may receive a limited license to practice law in Illinois when the lawyer is employed in Illinois as in-house counsel exclusively ...

When did the Court of Appeals change the rules for the registration of in-house counsel?

Effective December 30, 2015, the Court of Appeals amended its Rules for the Registration of In-house Counsel to allow for similar admission of foreign attorneys. A foreign attorney who is a member in good stating of a recognized legal profession in a non-United States jurisdiction, the members of which are admitted to practice as lawyers or counselors at law or the equivalent and subject to effective regulation by a professional body or public authority.

How many states administer the Uniform Bar Exam?

The Uniform Bar Exam. Unlike individual state bar examinations, the uniform bar examination (UBE) is standardized. Currently, 13 states administer the UBE. Attorneys who pass the UBE in one state can apply for admission to the bar in another UBE state by transferring their score. If the attorney's UBE score is high enough for admission in the second state, the attorney can be admitted to practice law there.

Can an attorney practice in another state?

The simple answer is no: Attorneys must be admitted to the bar in each state they wish to practice in. However, legal answers are rarely so simple, and indeed, there are exceptions that would allow an attorney from one state to practice in another state.

Can an attorney practice law in the state where they passed the bar exam?

Attorneys generally can only practice law in the state where they took and passed the bar exam. But there are a few exceptions. For example:

image

What Is Governing Law?

  • The governing law clause, sometimes called choice of law clause, determines what state laws will be used to interpret the contract and which jurisdiction will oversee the enforcement of its terms. Governing law can be important because a dispute may hinge on differences in local laws. However, the parties in a contract are not necessarily bound to where they live or where the cont…
See more on upcounsel.com

Governing Law Provisions in Contracts

  • Thegoverning law clauseregulates the local law that will govern the interpretation of the contract the parties agreed to. As a result, the parties often select a lawyer to draw up the contract who is from or familiar with the state or local law that the parties choose. Contract law varies between states, and the differences can be important. Choosing which state's laws by which interpret a c…
See more on upcounsel.com

Exceptions to Governing Law Clause

  • Some laws cannot be modified by contract and are enforceable despite the governing law clause. For example: 1. Insurance contracts - Some states require that their consumer protection laws relating to insurance are applied in their states. 2. Connection required - Courts also may want to make sure there is a connection between the state chosen for ...
See more on upcounsel.com

Choice of Venue

  • The parties in a contract also may choose a venue where legal proceedings would be held, if necessary. It also determines the site of mediation or arbitration proceedings. A court case's venue is the location and court where the matter will be heard. Having a local venue can be to your advantage in a dispute as well as give your lawyer, who is familiar with local laws and courts, a t…
See more on upcounsel.com

Can Lawyers Practice in Any State?

Image
Mostly, no. Most practice areas are governed by state law, and those will require a State Bar license. Even fields of law that are primarily federal—bankruptcy, immigration, etc.—may require a State Bar license. However, there has been considerable litigation and debate amongst the courts on that issue. The Sixth Cir…
See more on clio.com

Benefits of Becoming A Multi-State Lawyer

  • More opportunities to grow your client base
    The biggest benefit of being a multistate lawyer is that you open up a larger client base. For example, for states that lack population density for your niche legal practice area, being able to take cases from the other side of the state line is big. For some practice areas(like business for…
  • Increased geographical flexibility
    With the law, they only offer a bar exam twice per year. Also, moving between states can throw your career off for months or even years. This is because you have to deal with licensure and character and fitness requirements. Personally, when I met my wife, I was licensed in California …
See more on clio.com

Ethical Responsibilities of Becoming A Multi-State Lawyer

  • As mentioned, there is a great debate on whether you need multiple State Bar licenses if you are primarily practicing federal law. Some lawyers take the stance of “it’s primarily federal, so I’ll practice everywhere.” On the other hand, a lawyer who practiced bankruptcy law in Michigan while carrying only a Texas bar card wasadmitted to the federal court. Years of litigation later, the Sixt…
See more on clio.com

Not Quite “Uniform” Bar Exam

  • It is no longer 50 states, 50 bar exams. Even the legendarily difficult New York state bar exam is now gone in favor of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). There are even rumors that California—the state that once had the longest, most difficult exam and zero reciprocity—may move to the UBE soon. The Uniform Bar Exam is at once a welcome change and a frustrating misnomer. While ea…
See more on clio.com

How to Become A Multi-State Lawyer

  • Apply for reciprocity with other states’ bars
    Even if you did not take the uniform bar, there are other ways to get admitted in a state without taking another bar exam. Most states have some form of reciprocity where they will allow lawyers admitted in a reciprocal state to gain admission on application—no exam required. The states ty…
  • Take bar exams in multiple states
    There is always the option of taking another bar exam. This tends to be a less popular option for multi-state lawyers—reciprocity and the UBE are typically much more popular options. My first bar exam in another state was an excruciating marathon, while struggling with unemployment, inso…
See more on clio.com

Transactional Lawyer vs. Litigator

  • The process of gaining admission to the bar will not vary based on whether or not you like to step into a courtroom. Similarly, the advantages are similar for transactional lawyers and litigators if they stack up a couple of bar cards. For transactional lawyers, other than the cost of admission, bar dues, and CLEs, there is very little downside to being a multi-state lawyer. You can probably …
See more on clio.com

Federal Courts

  • As mentioned, there is a great debate about whether you need additional state licenses for practicing federal law out-of-state. Theoretically, if you are admitted to the federal court and the law is entirely federal, you should not need a local State Bar license. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get into trouble with the State Bar from the unauthorized practice of law. However, it is im…
See more on clio.com

Practical Considerations For Multi-State Lawyers

  • For lawyers licensed in multiple states, be prepared to put in more work upfront. Trust accounts?Some states will allow you to piggyback on another state’s trust account if you are a multi-state legal practitioner. But most states will require their own. Finding a bank that can effectively handle lawyer trust accounts is challenging in itself. Finding a bank that can successf…
See more on clio.com

You Could Benefit from Getting Licensed in Multiple States

  • Admittedly, it is so much easier to just practice in one state. However, there are many benefits to becoming a multi-state lawyer, including increased flexibility and opportunities to grow your legal practice. Today, with reciprocity and uniform bar admission, becoming a multi-state lawyer is a lot less challenging than before. If your circumstances require it or if you find it advantageous for y…
See more on clio.com

B. Governing Law

  • 1. What is a Governing Law Clause?
    A governing law clause determines the law which will apply to an agreement and disputes arising under it. It provides which set of legal principles will be applied in determining the rights and obligations of the parties to a contract (e.g. whether valid contract formed, whether debt owing, …
  • 2. How to pick the right Governing Law for a Contract?
    The choice of governing law comes down to the following questions: 1. Which law is best for the interpretation of the contract? Pick a more established Common Law jurisdiction with a large number of commercial law precedents (e.g. England). 2. Where are the parties are based? Pick …
See more on docpro.com

C. Jurisdiction Clause

  • 1. What is a Jurisdiction Clause?
    The purpose of a jurisdiction clause is to elect the Court which will hear a dispute arising under an agreement between the parties. It determines which Court will adjudicate the dispute and apply the chosen law in a selected jurisdiction. Whether or not such a clause will be effective depends …
  • 2. How do you pick the right Jurisdiction Clause for a contract?
    The three key questions to ask about when selecting a jurisdiction are: 1. Which jurisdiction does the party want to be when suing another party(ies)? 1. Which jurisdiction does the party want to be when being sued by another party(ies)? 1. Which party more likely to sue or be sued? One may w…
See more on docpro.com

D. Relationship Between Governing Law and Jurisdiction Clause

  • The choice of governing law needs not to be the same as the choice of forum, and the parties can choose different jurisdictions depending on the type of dispute. However, for obvious reasons, it is usually sensible to make them the same. Trying to assign different types of disputes to a different choice of law and jurisdictions frequently gives rise to problems. Such a selection should be avo…
See more on docpro.com

E. Forum Non-Conveniens

  • A foreign court will apply its own procedural rules to decide whether or not to accept jurisdiction. Even when a court has the prima facie ability to exercise jurisdiction over a dispute, it may choose to stay proceedings or may have to decline to exercise jurisdiction upon application by a defendant if either: 1. there is a more convenient forum elsewhere (forum non-conveniens) or 2. …
See more on docpro.com

F. Service of Process

  • 1. Do you need to appoint an Agent for Service of Process?
    The jurisdiction of the Courts is founded on the service of proceedings. Generally, the Court takes jurisdiction based on: 1. Where the defendant is physically present (however temporary) in a jurisdiction or its agent for service of process is within the jurisdiction, it can be served within th…
  • 2. Foreign Party without a Service Agent
    For a foreign party without a service agent, permission to serve outside the jurisdiction needs to be obtained from the court. The grounds on which permission to serve outside may be granted are limited. In general: 1. was made within the jurisdiction; or 2. was made by or through an agen…
See more on docpro.com

G. How to Enforce A Foreign Judgement?

  • One of the issues to be considered when selecting a jurisdiction is where any judgment may need to be enforced. Enforcement of foreign judgments under common law can be complicated.
See more on docpro.com

H. Do You Need A Sovereign Immunity Clause?

  • States and their emanations are usually immune from suit in national courts. However, in some circumstances, a state may be deemed to have waived this immunity, or it may do so expressly. A waiver of sovereign immunity clause should be included when contracting with a State or state entity. One should take extra precautions when contracting with a sovereign state or an entity cl…
See more on docpro.com

I. Do You Find The Above Too Complicated?

  • This guide is to facilitate the understanding of governing law, jurisdiction and related clauses. It considers briefly the questions which arise in deciding which country / territory's court or courts will have jurisdiction to hear disputes arising under an agreement and which laws. It is not intended to provide a detailed analysis of the law but gives general guidance on the most import…
See more on docpro.com