What does the doctrine of forum non conveniens allow a court to do?

The doctrine of forum non conveniens is focused on addressing situations where a case is filed in a proper venue but is deemed inconvenient for the parties or the witnesses involved. This concept allows a court to dismiss a case, not because it lacks jurisdiction or because the venue is improper, but rather because there is a more suitable forum available that would better serve the interests of justice and convenience for the parties.

When a court invokes this doctrine, it considers various factors such as the location of witnesses, the applicable law, and the burden on the parties. If it finds that another jurisdiction would be significantly more convenient for all involved and would better facilitate the prosecution of the case, the court may dismiss the current case, allowing the plaintiff to refile in the more appropriate jurisdiction.

This understanding of the doctrine clarifies why it is essential for ensuring that legal proceedings are conducted in a manner that minimizes inconvenience and effectively utilizes available resources, without compromising proper legal proceedings. Options that suggest arbitrary changes of venue or automatic new trials do not accurately capture the focus or applicability of forum non conveniens.