English Contract Law: Choice of Law and Forum Trumped? Beware (or at least be aware) of the Commercial Agents Regulations.

Yesterday, Pillsbury attorney Ray Sweigart published his client advisory English Contract Law: Choice of Law and Forum Trumped? Beware (or at least be aware) of the Commercial Agents Regulations. The Advisory discusses the English High Court’s analysis, in Fern Computer Consultancy Ltd v Intergraph Cadworx & Analysis Solutions Inc [2014] EWHC 2908 (Ch) (29 August 2014), of the arguments for and against non-English forum selection and choice of law terms in commercial contracts involving English parties or performance in England, as well as permissive service of English court proceedings out of the jurisdiction. While the outcome was not final, it certainly sends a note of caution and a reminder to consult English qualified counsel before assuming that application of English law and English court proceedings can be avoided by contract.

If you have any questions about the content of this blog, please contact the Pillsbury attorney with whom you regularly work or Ray Sweigart, the author of this blog.