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Forum Non Conveniens Overview

In 1990, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in Dow Chemical v. Alfaro, 786 S.W.2d 674, that the Texas Legislature had statutorily abolished forum non conveniens for wrongful death and personal injury actions in 1913.

In response, the Texas Legislature enacted S.B. 2 which codified forum non conveniens in Civil Practice and Remedies Code, sec. 71.051. Forum non conveniens has been further modified in 1995, 1997, and 2003. In 2005, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, sec. 71.051. has once again been modified to give judges more discretion in cases of forum non conveniens.

The legislative history of each of these enactments has been detailed by Capitol Research:

Legislative History of H.B. 755, 79th Leg., R.S. (2005) Regarding Forum Non Conveniens

  • House Bill 755 (2005)
  • Amended Sec. 71.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
  • Our report is available in two formats:
    • HB 755 (2005) eBook - $295 (Download-No shipping charges)
    • Hard Copy Report and Exhibit Binder - $395 (plus $20 shipping)

Legislative History of Article 3 of H.B. 4, 78th Leg., R.S. (2003) Regarding Forum Non Conveniens

  • House Bill 4, Article 3 (2003)
  • Amended Sec. 71.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
  • Our report is available in two formats:
    • Forum Non Conveniens Issue in HB 755 (2005) eBook - $195 (Download-No shipping charges)
    • Hard Copy Report and Exhibit Binder - $295 (plus $20 shipping)

Legislative History of S.B. 220, 75th Leg., R.S. (1997) Regarding Forum Non Conveniens

  • Senate Bill 220 (1997)
  • Amended Sec. 71.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
  • Our report is available in two formats:
    • SB 220 (1997) eBook - $295 (Download-No shipping charges)
    • Hard Copy Report and Exhibit Binder - $395 (plus $20 shipping)

Legislative History of S.B. 400, 74th Leg., R.S. (1995) Regarding Forum Non Conveniens

  • Senate Bill 400 (1995)
  • Amended Sec. 71.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
  • Report: 21 pages
  • Our report is available in two formats:
    • SB 400 (1995) eBook - $65 (Download-No shipping charges)
    • Hard Copy Report and Exhibit Binder - $95 (plus $15 shipping)

Legislative History of S.B. 2, 73rd Leg., R.S. (1993) Regarding Forum Non Conveniens

  • Senate Bill 2 (1993)
  • Sec. 71.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code
  • Report: 85 pages
  • Our report is available in two formats:
    • SB 2 (1993) eBook - $195 (Download-No shipping charges)
    • Hard Copy Report and Exhibit Binder - $295 (plus $20 shipping)