Ricoh

Introduction

As we explain more fully in the course of this opinion, Code of Civil Procedure sections 410.30 and 418.10 (undesignated section references will be to this code) are the means by which a defendant may challenge a plaintiffs selection of California as the forum for the litigation between them. Two substantive bodies of law are affected by this procedural vehicle: the traditional (or noncontractual) doctrine of forum non conveniens and the enforceability of contractual forum-selection clauses. In light of the fact the appellant has fused aspects of these related but disinct areas, we are called upon to delineate the relevant criteria of each, to explain that this is not the proper context for application of traditional forum non conveniens principles, and to determine that a contractual forum-selection clause put in issue by the case before us is enforceable.

In response to the complaint filed by plaintiff Cal-State Business Products & Services, Inc. (Cal-State), defendant “Ricoh” moved for an order staying or dismissing this action as being brought in an inconvenient forum. (§§410.30, 418.10.) The basis of the motion is forum-selection clauses contained in…