forum shopping

or fo·rum-shop·ping

[ fawr-uhm shop-ing ]

noun

, Law.

1. the act or practice of choosing a jurisdiction in which to file a lawsuit as a way of trying to increase one's chance of winning the case: Compare judge shopping ( def ).

   She was accused of forum shopping after she filed her case in a state she was not a resident of, but where defamation laws are stricter.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forum shopping¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The plan was a classic case of forum shopping, and it has paid off for Scalia and his new client.

From Slate

Critics of the lawsuit have called the case the latest example of judicial “forum shopping,” where a company files a lawsuit in a friendly district in order to have a greater likelihood of getting a favorable ruling.

From Seattle Times

Nessel appeared at the rally and accused Enbridge of “forum shopping” in hopes of finding a favorable judge.

From Seattle Times

If you’ve been paying attention to the legal system recently, you’ve probably heard the term “forum shopping.”

From Slate

The practice traditionally labeled “forum shopping” is not especially new.

From Los Angeles Times