There’s No Place Like Home—Unless You Live Next Door: Venue and Forum in Litigation

The First District’s decision in Malloy v. DuPage Gynecology highlights the difficulty defendants face in challenging venue and forum in Illinois. Even where all parties, treatment, and alleged injury were centered in DuPage County, the courts strictly applied venue rules and denied transfer to Cook County’s neighboring forum. The case underscores the importance of timely motions and detailed, affidavit-supported evidence when seeking relief on venue or forum non conveniens grounds.

Illinois Appellate Court Ruling on Forum Non Conveniens Venue Transfers

In the Illinois Appellate Court case of Brandt v. Shekar, the complexities of venue transfers under the doctrine of forum non conveniens are examined. When a plaintiff chooses a venue based on a defendant’s residence, can the court justify this choice? The appellate court’s reversal of the trial court’s denial of a venue transfer highlights the importance of injury location and convenience for all parties. This ruling could influence defense strategies in similar disputes.

For Convenience Sake: How Hospitals Can Utilize the Doctrine of Intrastate Forum Non Conveniens to Transfer Medical Malpractice Lawsuits to More Convenient Forums

Illinois venue law allows plaintiffs to file suit in any county where a defendant resides or does business, which can result in hospitals being sued in forums with little connection to the dispute. Even when venue is technically proper, the doctrine of intrastate forum non conveniens permits courts to transfer a case to a more convenient Illinois forum in exceptional circumstances. Defendants seeking transfer must show that private and public interest factors strongly favor the alternative forum, providing a key tool to curb forum shopping and promote judicial efficiency.