choice of forum clause legal definition

noun

1. A provision in a contract in which the parties stipulate that any lawsuit between them arising from the contract shall be litigated before a particular court or in a particular jurisdiction. Because the parties cannot confer jurisdiction upon a court, they must select a court and place that would otherwise have jurisdiction; however, since more than one court may have jurisdiction, the parties opt to designate in advance which one they choose.
2. A provision in a contract in which the parties stipulate that any arbitration or conciliation between them arising from the contract shall be held before a particular arbitrator or conciliator or group of arbitrators or conciliators or at a particular place. Also called forum selection clause. See also choice of law clause.