Forum Law and Legal Definition
A forum is a place where disputes are heard and decided, such as a tribunal or court. A forum state may be chosen based upon one party's residence, domicile, presence, business contacts, ownership of real estate, commission of a wrongful act, or other reasonable relationship to the state to satisfy the minimum contacts requirement of due process to establish a court's exercise of jurisdiction. Due process requires that it be reasonably foreseeable to a party that they may be brought to court in a particular forum, based upon their activities connected to that forum. Some contracts may include a forum selection clause to have the parties agree in advance where any future disputes will be litigated.
