Brief Fact Summary.
An England based manufacturer sold products in the U.S. market through an Ohio based company and had its product resold to a consumer in New Jersey. A consumer gets injured using the manufacturer’s product and sued in a New Jersey court.
Synopsis of Rule of Law.
In order for personal jurisdiction to be proper the defendant must purposefully avail itself of the privilege of conducting activities within the forum state and therefore having the benefit and protection of its laws.
Jurisdiction is power to declare the law, and when it ceases to exist, the only function remaining to the court is that of announcing the fact and dismissing the cause.
View Full Point of LawDefendant J.Mcintyre, an English machine manufacturing company, hires an American based distributor to sell its machinery across the United States. Plaintiff Nacastro loses 4 fingers using Defendant manufacturer’s machine and sues Defendant in a New Jersey court.
Issue.
For personal jurisdiction to be proper, must a defendant purposefully avail itself to the privilege of conducting activities in the forum state, therefore having the benefit and protection of its laws?
Held.
Yes, for personal jurisdiction to be proper a defendant must purposefully avail itself to the privilege of conducting activities in the forum state, therefore having the benefit and protection of its laws. Judgement of the New Jersey Supreme Court reversed.
Concurrence.
Justice Justice Breyer with Justice Alio concurring
Plaintiff Nicastro failed to show that jurisdiction over Defendant J.Mcintyre was proper.
Justice Justice Ginsburg with Justice Sotomayor and Justice Kagan dissenting
J.McIntyre had the intent to sell his machines in the U.S. Just because a distributor was used does not mean J.McIntyre as the manufacturer should be able to escape liability.
Discussion.