The Mississippi courts will enforce forum selection clauses when the intent is clear and unequivocal. When confronted with challenges to the enforceability of a forum selection clause, the first step in analysis is whether it is mandatory or permissive. Titan Indemnity Company v. Hood, 895 So.2d 138, 146-47 (Miss. 2005) (.pdf). The determination of what language is considered mandatory as opposed to permissive was carefully examined and discussed in Bently v. Mutual Benefits Corp., 237 F.Supp.2d 699 (S.D. Miss. 2002) (.pdf). In Bently, the district court was tasked with determining whether to enforce a forum selection clause with language strikingly similar to the language found in SCP’s terms and conditions. Its analysis followed the two-step inquiry articulated by the Fifth Circuit in Caldas & Sons, Inc. v. Willingham, 17 F.3d 123 (5th Cir. 1994) (.pdf). As to whether the forum selection clause was mandatory or permissive, the district court reasoned that "a mandatory forum selection clause has express language limiting the action to the courts of a specific locale which is clear, unequivocal and mandatory." Bently, 237 F.Supp.2d at 702 (emphasis added). The district court when on to cite a number of decisions discussing the importance of limiting language in the forum selection clause to obviate any uncertainty with regard to the exclusivity of the chosen forum.
If the forum selection clause is considered mandatory, the second step in the legal analysis requires the court to consider (1) whether "Its incorporation into the contract was the result of fraud, undue influence or overweening bargaining power; (2) [t]he selected forum is so gravely difficult and inconvenient that the resisting party will for all practical purposes be deprived of its day in court; or (3) [t]he enforcement of the clause would contravene a strong public policy of the forum in which the suit is brought, declared by statute or judicial decisions." Titan Indemnity Company v. Hood, 895 So.2d 138,146-47 (Miss. 2005).
The Mississippi courts will enforce forum selection clauses when the intent is clear and unequivocal. When confronted with challenges to the enforceability of a forum selection clause, the first step in analysis is whether it is mandatory or permissive. Titan Indemnity Company v. Hood, 895 So.2d 138, 146-47 (Miss. 2005) (.pdf). The determination of what language is considered mandatory as opposed to permissive was carefully examined and discussed in Bently v. Mutual Benefits Corp., 237 F.Supp.2d 699 (S.D. Miss. 2002) (.pdf). In Bently, the district court was tasked with determining whether to enforce a forum selection clause with language strikingly similar to the language found in SCP’s terms and conditions. Its analysis followed the two-step inquiry articulated by the Fifth Circuit in Caldas & Sons, Inc. v. Willingham, 17 F.3d 123 (5th Cir. 1994) (.pdf). As to whether the forum selection clause was mandatory or permissive, the district court reasoned that "a mandatory forum selection clause has express language limiting the action to the courts of a specific locale which is clear, unequivocal and mandatory." Bently, 237 F.Supp.2d at 702 (emphasis added). The district court when on to cite a number of decisions discussing the importance of limiting language in the forum selection clause to obviate any uncertainty with regard to the exclusivity of the chosen forum.
If the forum selection clause is considered mandatory, the second step in the legal analysis requires the court to consider (1) whether "Its incorporation into the contract was the result of fraud, undue influence or overweening bargaining power; (2) [t]he selected forum is so gravely difficult and inconvenient that the resisting party will for all practical purposes be deprived of its day in court; or (3) [t]he enforcement of the clause would contravene a strong public policy of the forum in which the suit is brought, declared by statute or judicial decisions." Titan Indemnity Company v. Hood, 895 So.2d 138,146-47 (Miss. 2005).
