Case: The Bremen et al. v. Zapata Off-shore Co.

Parties: Petitioner: The Bremen (german corp)

Respondent: Zapata (Louisiana company/owner of drilling rig)

Procedural History: Petitioner sought review by certiorari of the judgment

entered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in which a
forum-selection clause in a contract between petitioner German corporation and
respondent United States corporation was held invalid.

Facts: Petitioner, a German corporation contracted with the respondent, an United

States corporation to transport an oil rig from Louisiana to Italy. During
transportation, the rig was damaged and was towed to Tampa, Florida (at the
respondent's request), where the United States corporation filed suit. The German
corporation, however, asked the district court to enforce the forum-selection
clause that was in their contract, providing for the litigation of any dispute to
have jurisdiction in England. The district court refused to enforce the clause
and the lower appellate court affirmed.

Issue: was the District court of Florida correct to refuse to enforce the forum-
selection clause created between a US company and a German Corporation?

Holding: The court held that the forum-selection clause was valid and the case
was remanded for a determination of whether enforcement was unreasonable.

Rule: "It is settled … that parties to a contract may agree in advance to submit
to the jurisdiction of a given court , to permit notice to be served by the
opposing party, or even to waive notice altogether."

Reasoning: The rig would have traveled over many jurisdictions, and it would be
very inconvenient for both parties if a suit could have jurisdiction wherever an
accident occurs. That is why the forum-selection clause was established in this
contract. It eliminates those uncertainties, and helps international trade,
commerce and contracting.

Notes:
It will facilitate commerce. It would be a burden to use the jurisdiction of any
place between the 2 transportation points if the accident happens there. Reducing
the uncertainty reduces costs and facilitates commerce.

2nd holding: what connection does london have with this dispute? Nothing. Why
does US Supreme court think London has jurisdiction. (london courts were willing
to do this).. Parties can by private agreement create jurisdiction where it
otherwise would not exist., creates a mutual forum (helps international commerce).
Courts have self-defense mechanisms if they don’t like it.

Why would they choose london?

-bargained, reasonable compromise
-a party may have bargaining power in that forum

Supreme court upholds the contract, as long as it cannot be void if its

enforcement is unreasonable.
Consent of jurisdiction of a certain place, usually will exclude jurisdiction in
other places.