Chambers v. Merrell-Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

The sole issue raised upon appeal is whether the trial court erred in dismissing these actions utilizing the common-law doctrine of forum non conveniens. Because we view the cautious application of this doctrine, which allows a court having proper jurisdiction to dismiss an action when to do so would further the ends of justice and promote the convenience of the parties, as an inherent power of the trial court, resting within its sound discretion, and because we find the lower court did not abuse its discretion herein, we affirm the dismissals below.

I

The doctrine of forum non conveniens has,…