What outcome is likely if a defendant has no contacts with the forum state?

When a defendant has no contacts with the forum state, it generally means that the court cannot establish personal jurisdiction over that defendant. The principle of personal jurisdiction requires some form of connection between the defendant and the forum state, typically demonstrated through various factors such as the party's physical presence, business activities, or other interactions within that state.

In this scenario, if there are no such contacts, the court is unable to assert jurisdiction, leading to the likelihood that the case will be dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction. This dismissal protects the defendant's rights by ensuring that they are not required to defend a lawsuit in a forum where they do not have sufficient connections or where it would be unfair to hold them liable.

The other potential outcomes, such as establishing jurisdiction, transferring the case, or proceeding to trial, would not be feasible given the absence of any jurisdictional basis. Therefore, the most accurate conclusion is that the court will likely dismiss the case for lack of personal jurisdiction.