Which case highlights the importance of notice for individuals sued in personam?

The case that highlights the importance of notice for individuals sued in personam is Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc. v. Shute. This case established significant principles regarding the enforcement of forum selection clauses and the necessity of providing adequate notice to parties involved in a lawsuit.

In this case, the plaintiff was required to adhere to a forum selection clause included in the cruise ticket, which specified the location for the legal proceedings. The court emphasized that providing notice through the ticket—even if it was not overtly conspicuous—was sufficient for jurisdictional purposes. The ruling underscored the idea that fair notice is crucial when determining whether a defendant should be subject to the jurisdiction of a court, especially in cases involving personal jurisdiction where defendants may be located far from the jurisdiction where the suit is brought.

This decision set a precedent for how notice is interpreted in the context of personal jurisdiction, affirming that defendants must be adequately informed about the legal consequences of their actions, including potential litigation.