Tennessee
How Atlantic Marine Construction Co., Inc. v. U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas applies in Tennessee: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Civil Procedure.
Tennessee generally mirrors federal principles in allowing parties to stipulate forum selection clauses. Tennessee courts tend to enforce these clauses, provided they are deemed reasonable and just under the circumstances.
Tennessee Rule of Civil Procedure 12.02(3) allows for dismissal based on a valid forum selection clause, similar to the federal standard.
The court upheld the enforcement of a forum selection clause that was deemed clear and mutually agreed upon by the parties.
Confirmed that such clauses are enforceable unless shown to be unreasonable or unjust.
Emphasized considerations of fairness in enforcing forum selection clauses.
Tennessee's approach is consistent with the federal standard set forth in Atlantic Marine, which emphasizes the enforceability of forum selection clauses unless they are unreasonable or unjust. However, Tennessee courts may have a slightly more flexible interpretation of what constitutes 'unreasonable' in specific contexts.
Forum selection clauses, including considerations under Tennessee law, are relevant to civil procedure and may appear in various contexts on the Tennessee bar exam.