In personal jurisdiction cases, why is it important for a forum to be deemed fair?

A forum's fairness is crucial in personal jurisdiction cases because it ensures that the defendant is not subjected to undue burden or inconvenience when being brought to court. The principle of fair play and substantial justice is a key component of jurisdictional analysis, particularly in determining whether a court can exercise its authority over a defendant. If a forum is found to be unfair—meaning that the choice of forum is unreasonable given the circumstances—the court may dismiss the case for lack of personal jurisdiction.

This concept is rooted in the Due Process Clause of the Constitution, which is designed to protect individuals from being hauled into courts in distant or inappropriate locations. Therefore, establishing fairness can lead to a legitimate and just legal process, whereas the absence of fairness could result in dismissal and the inability of the court to proceed with the case.