Del Istmo Assurance Corp. v. Platon et al, No. 0:2011cv61599 - Document 48 (S.D. Fla. 2011)
Court Description: ORDER granting 11 Defendant Italkitchen International Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint and 16 Defendant Ted Platon's Motion to Dimiss Plaintiff's Complaint. Signed by Judge James I. Cohn on 11/9/2011. (npd)
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Del Istmo Assurance Corp. v. Platon et al Doc. 48 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT SO UTHERN DI STRI O F FLO RI CT DA CASE NO .1161599- V- HN/ CI CO SELTZER DEL I O ASSURANCE CO RP. STM , a Panam ani com pany, an Pl ntf, ai i f VS. M ELETI P.PLATO N a/ a TED PLATO N OS k/ J i vi l and I ndi dual y TALKI TCHEN I NTERNATI NAL, O I ,a Fl i cor aton, nc. orda por i Def endant s. / ORDER GRANTI DEFENDANTS'M OTI NS TO DI I NG O SM SS THI CAUSE i bef e t Cour on Def S s or he t endantlal t t kichen l er i nt natonalI .' nc s Mo in t Dimis Pl n i' Compl n E 11 (l kt h Mot )an Def to o s s ait f fs ait DE ) 't i en i 'al c onn d endan Ted t Plt ' Mo i t Dimis Pl n i sCompl n ( 1 (pl on Mot '( ol t el a ons ton o s s ait r f ait DE 6l ' at ' i )c l i y on' ec v ' t st Dimis) Th Cou tha c ef l c si ed t e Mo i st Dim is, ' i o s s n. e r s ar ul on der h Mo on y ton o s s Pl n i' Op ions( 21, )(l kt hen Opp. and ' a on Opp.) Def ndan ait f post fs i DE 32 't i 'al c ' ' Plt ', e ' t I kt en It na inal Ic. Repl Memor du t Pl n i s Resp e ( 34) t i al ch n er to , n ' s y an m o ait r f ons DE (l kt hen RepI', en tTe Plt s Repl Memor 't i lal c y' Def dan d a on' ) y andum t Pl n i ' o ait f fs Res s ( 45 (plt RepI', h s ori ma erass ted byt e p t s, pon e DE ) d a on ' y' t e upp t ) ng t il ubmi t h ari e and i ot wie advi i t pr i s her s sed n he em ses. 1 BACKG RO UND . Pl n i Dels mo As ur e Cor (pl n i 'fe t is an s tagai t aitf It f s anc p. ' ait r) i d he n t t ui d f l ns De en t I ki hen I t na i al Ic. 't kt hen' an Melto P.Plt a// Ted f dan s t t al c ner ton , n (l i ' d e is dal c ) aon k a Plt (PIt ' ( ol t el ' f dan s'on Juy 1 2011.See Compl n ( 1 . a on ' a on' c l i y l en t ' ) ec v De ) l 9, ait DE ) Dockets.Justia.com Pl ntf i a cor aton or zed undert I oft Republ ofPanam a and t ai if s por i gani he aws he i c he successori i er t Am ercan Assur n nt est o i ance Cor . 1.1 1.Plt i a r i to p J. 1 a on s esden f . M i iDade Count Fl i l . % 2. l ki en i a Fl i co por to wi i am y, orda. d t t al ch s or da r a in t t h s prnci pl e ofbusi i pal ac ness i M i iDade Count , Fl i I 1 3. c dig t t n am y or da. d.1 Ac or n o he Com pl nt Pl on,t ough hi com pani Ial t ai , at hr s es t ki chen and Eur oup I er i ogr nt natonal Panama, n (Eur gr ', p i ie i c s om kt hen c ne s, or an ot er l c. ' o oup' s ecal s n u t i s, abi t do s, d h t ) z c wo - as fxur s. I 1 6- I orar nd Dec od b ed it e d. 1 7. n % ou ember200 Pl on, h ou 8, at t r gh Eur oup,ent ed f contac s wih O pcor Ar ogr er our r t t p- sesa I er i , I ,a nt natonal nc. Panam ani cor aton, o i t lki an por i t ns al t chens, door car s, penty,and ot fxt es att r her i ur he Tr Oc Cl lt na i Ho el To de op en (he ' c p c tacs ) ump ean ub n er t onal t & wer vel m t t ' or on r t n. Op 1.! 1 Th Op or c tacs pr i t atOpc p Ares It n i , n . d 1 1 2. e c p on r t ovded h . or - s a n er at onalI c woul m ake advanc paym ent t Eur oup. $.1 1 I ex h ge,Eu ogr wa r qui e so ogr . 1 3. n c an r oup s e r ed . t pl t o ace hese payment i tustand obt n pr snr ai epaym entbonds t ensur t f o e he unds $=. . . I eary 2009,Pl on metwih Pl ntf' r esent i t obt n t necessar n l at t ai ifs epr atves o ai he y pr y tb s. I ! 1 Bas on r e en at s mad b Mr Pl on ata Marh epa men ond d. 1 7. ed epr s t i on e y . at c 4,2009 m eetng and hi executon ofan i i s i ndem ni agr t y eementper / sonalguar y i ant n Pl ntf' f ,Pl ntf agr t under ie t bonds. I I 1 2 Ther t , ai ifs avor ai if eed o wrt he d. N 8, 4. eafer on M ar 6,2009,Eur oup execut a tus î tum entt com pl wih t O pcor ch ogr ed r t ns r o y t he p contact whi nam ed Pl ntf as t benefci y I 1 1 r s ch ai i f he i ar d.1 4.Addion l onAu t3 t al i y, gus 0, . 2009,Pl on,on behal ofIal t at f t kichen, execut an i ed ndem ni agr enti Pl ntf t y eem n ai irs f avorwhi r r Ial t ch equied t kichen t i o ndem ni Pl ntf f t bonds I 1 25. f ai if or he y d.1 . Pl ntf al ai if l eges t som etm e s adi i orar hat i t ng n ound M ar 2009, Pl on began t ch at o sys em atcal w ihdr money fom t t ustwhi he used t pay ot debt r her t i l t aw y r he r ch o her s at 2 t t r pady suppl s undert Opcor contact I : 27. Bec s Plt di han hidi er he p r s d. 1 au e a on d . notpay t t r pady suppl s,Pl ntf was r r , pur he hidi er ai if equied suantt t bonds i o he t under r e, o pay t t r pary suppl s and coveralexpenses r at t shi ng w ot t he hid- t i er l el ed o ppi and i poraton oft m at i s needed t com pl e t Tr p Ocean Cl m t i he eral o et he um ub I er i Hot & Towerdevel ent I=1 30. Eur oup It del ed i nt natonal el opm J .1 ogr a er ay t s . peror f mance att devel he opment necessiatng t Pl ntf pay $900,000 t com pl e , t i hat ai if o et Eu o oupswor I ! 33, 6. Pl n i fl t e i t tsuta n tPlt a r gr ' k. d. N 3 ait f i h nsan i gais a on nd f ed Ial t t kichen when t f l t r m bur Pl ntf undert per hey ai o ei ed se ai if he sonalguar y and ant idemnt a eemen s. I I 3 42.Th Compl n r s s ar t b eac o n i gr y t d. N 9, e ait aies ep a e r h f c r cl m s agai Pl on and Ial t ontact ai nst at t ki chen r at t br el ed o each oft i he ndem niy t agr ent and a faud cl m agai Pl on f m i epr eem s r ai nst at or sr esent i he al atons l egedl m ade y t i o nduce Pl ntf t under i t bonds L= I 43 64. ai if o wrt he e d.N . Def endant separ el fl m otons t di i . See DE 11,16. Bot M otons t s at y i ed i o sm ss h i o Di i al sm ss l t t Com pl ntshoul be di i ege hat he ai d sm ssed undert doc rne off um non he ti or conveni because t sui shoul be r ved i Panam a, Ial t ens he t d esol n t kichen M oton at1' i , Pl on M oton at1. Addii l , bot M otons t Di i cont t t Com pl nt at i tonal y h i o sm ss end hat he ai shoul be di i d sm ssed f f l e t s at a cl m because t docum ent atached t t or ai ur o t e ai he s t o he Com pl ntpr ude r ai ecl ecover as a m aterofl and Pl ntf has f l t pr l y t aw ai if ai o opery ed al l st ng. Ial t ege andi t kichen Moton at2'Pl on M oton at2. Fi l Pl on ar i at i nal y, at gues t hat , Pl ntf faud cl m shoul be di i ai irs r ai d sm ssed because Pl ntf has f l t s at a cl m ai if ai o t e ed ai f faud and t econom i I r e bar such a cl m Pl on M oton at2. or r he c oss ul s ai at i . I.DI I SCUSSI N O A.LegalSt andar ForFor Non Conveni d um ens. Undert docti off um non conveni he rne or ens,a f eder di rctcour m ay di i al sti t sm ss an a t ia f ei c d i a mor app opr t an c v i tf um f adudiat c i f or gn ou s on e r i e d on enen or or j c i a ng t mater Si he t . nochem I 'Co.Lt v.Mal I 'Shi ng Cor ,549 U. 422,425 ntl d. ay. ntl ppi p. S. ( 00 .To ob ai di s al dert e doc r o f r m non c e e ,t e movn 2 7) t n smis un h ti f o u ne onv nins h ig p t m u td ary s emons r e ( )anade t al n e f um i a l l ,( t e pu i a tat 1 qua e t at or s vai e' 2) h bl nd er ab c p ia ef t swei i f oro dimisalan ( t e pl n i c r nsat i s ti r t acor gh n av f s s ' d 3) h ait f an ei t e t ui n v , f s t e al na ie f u wi tu du i on eni e orprj die. Ta n v, r ns h t t or m t er v hou n e nc v enc e u c -z e Aib S. S.631 F. 1 21, 30 ( 1h Ci. 1 .Al ou or narl t er i a s r g A. , 3d 3 13 1 t r 201 ) t gh di i h e s ton h y pr esum pton i f i n avorofa pl ntf' choi off um ,wher as her a pl ntf chooses ai ifs ce or e, e, ai if a f um t i notis hom e f um , hi pr or hat s t or t s esum pton d i wih I f ce. Pi i ' es t ess or ' ner appl Ai r f Co. Re o, 4 U. 235, ( 981 .Aferr e n t r ev tIw and r a t v. vn 45 S. c 255 1 ) t eviwig he el an a subm i ons ofal pari t Coud concl ssi l tes, he udes t di i f f um non conveni hat sm ssal or or ens i warant l s r ed. B.Panam a i an Adequat and Avaiabl For . s e l e um Bef e gr i a m oton t di i f f um non conv ens, he Coud m ust or antng i o sm ss or or eni t consi bot whet an aler e f um i adequat and avai e. Tazoe,631 F. der h her t nat or s e l abl 3d a 1 0.An al n ie f u i a ai e whent e f ei c c as er j idit t 33 t at or m s v l er v abl h or gn oud an s tur c i s on o ert e Iiat L v Mio Ai I . 251 F. 1 5,1 1( t Ci. v h ig i t on. eon . l n r nc , l . 3d 30 31 11h r 2001 . ) Because t Coud gr s Def he ant endant M otons t Di i based on f um s' i o sm ss or non conv ens,t Cour has notconsi ed Def eni he t der endant ot ar ent f s' her gum s or di i ofPl ntf' Com pl nt sm ssal ai ifs ai . 4 Gener l an al natve f um i avai e when t def al y, t er i or s l abl he endanti am enabl t pr s e o ocess i t e ot er ur dit Al n h h j i ci s on. dana v DeI t Fr h Pr c N. .nc , 578 F. 1283, . Mon e es odu e A. I . 3d 1 0 ( t Ci. 9)(n er al i ton an qu a insom ied) ' nade t f u 29 11h r 200 it n ct i s d ot to a t .I t A) qua e or m need notbe a perectf um .'' I ( t n ct i s an quo a i s omied .A r f or d. i er al i on d t ton n at t ) emedy t - ii s nadequat when i am ount t ' r edy ataI ' Pi Aicr tCo. 454 U. at e t s o ' em no I per r af . , S. 254. The El event Cicui has el at t i i ' nl i r e cicum st h r t abor ed hat t s ' y n ar r o ances wher e t r edy ofer by t ot f um i cl l unsats act y't an aler i f um he em f ed he her or s eary if or ' hat t natve or w i be consi ed i l l der nadequat Al e. dana, 5 F.3 at1 90 (n er al t i an 78 d 2 it n ci ons d at qu t ton omied) oai s t . t Def n Pl onc t st t' enda t at on end ha ' Panama i a cviIw j idit wi an s i la ur c i t s on h i pari cour syst and t ci lcode ofPanam a r m tal t em he vi ecogni aloft causes of zes l he ac i al ton l eged i Pl ntf Com pl nt' Pl on M oton at8. I suppor,Pl on ci t n ai i fs ai . at ' i n t at t he es afi tofPanamani I fdavi an awyerRol ando Vial l obos w ho aver t Panam ani cours l s hat an t h ej idit o er hi ma t .Afi vio Rol o Vial os i Sup tof av ur c i v t s ter f t f and l ob n por s on da l Def endans' ton t Dimis f For m Non Con eni s ( 1 1 ( l ob Af.) t Mo i s o s s or u v en DE 6- ) ' l os f' Vial ' 1 8. Def dan Iali hen sm i l ar est tPanama p ovd anav l e and 1 2 en t t kt c i l y gu ha ar r ies ai abl adequat f um . Ial t e or t kichen Moton at9. i I opposii Pl ntf cont n ton, ai i f ends t Panam a i notan adequat f um because hat s e or Def endant fl a moton f I si ed i or eave t suppl entt rM otons t o em hei i o Di i wih addii sm ss t tonal suppori evi tng dence and i or aton. See DE 38. Thi Coud nf m i s deni t moton on t gr ed hat i he ounds t Def hat endant wer atem ptng t corect s e t i o r defci es i t rm otons t di i wih evi i enci n hei i o sm ss t dence and i or aton t coul and nf m i hat d shoul have been fl eari . See Or Denyi Def d i ed l er der ng endant M oton f Leave t s' i or o Suppl entM otons t Di i wih Addii Suppodi Evi em i o sm ss t tonal ng dence and I or aton nf m i ( 42 .Thu , heAfi io Rol do Vialbos( 1 1 ap i s el t Pl ons DE ) s t f t f an dav lo l DE 6- ) pl ol y o at ' es m oton t di i i o sm ss. 5 i t case i di i ed on f um non conveni gr f he s sm ss or ens ounds,Panam a l pr udes aw ecl Pl ntf fom r ns atng is sui agai tt Def ai i r ei t i t t f ns he endant i Panam a Pl on Opp.at9. sn at . Accor ng t Pl ntf' I exped Oct o DeIRealAri e 1 di o ai i s egal f avi , tcl 421- oft Panama 0 he Rul ofCi lPr es vi ocedur pr des t : e ovi hat Foran Igal o eedi un t sChaperI y e pr c ng der hi t panamanan i ) j dge ar n c et t( h t e c e)it e c ait u s e ot omp en t ear h as f h ompl n o ort e ac i bei c h t on ng ommen ed i I ama)ha b c n pan s een pr vou y di s ed ordeni b af ei j dge und t e e i sl smis ed y or gn u er h ap iat o f r m non c nv e I t s c s j dge pl i f o u c on o enins. n he e a es,u s shoul di i ornotr d sm ss ecogni t com pl ntordem and on ze he ai gr ds o c s i ton orpr empt ej idit oun f on t u i al e t i ur c i v s on. Decl aton ofO c avi De1Real subm i ed i suppor ofPl ntf' O pposii t ar i t o , t n t t ai i s f ton o Pl on' Mo i t Dimis( 3 (DeI l cI'1 6. Ba ed on t s pr i on,DeI at s t o s s DE 3! ' Rea De . 1 on d ' ) s hi ovsi Realconcl udes t 'ft Acton wer t be di i hat ' he i i e o sm ssed by t Uni St es Feder he t ed at al Cour on f r no c nv ensgr ds t e c ds ( )Panamawoud no b an t o um n o eni oun , h ou i n l te avai e f um f Pl ntf t r nst e t s acton as a m aterofPanam a I . I l abl or or ai if o ei at hi i t aw ' d. ' I hi Repl Pl on cont n s y, at ends t t s Cour need notbe bound by Ari e 1421hat hi t tcl J becaus ' e Panam a I does nottum p Unied St es I . Pl on Repl at1 2. aw r t at aw ' at ' y Adi e 1 cl 421- i a ' ocki st ut 'enact lo per if ei pl ntfs,sanctoned by Js l bl ng at er ed ' t m t or gn ai if i t eina i al er men s,o t e a an ag oft e U. j dii s s em wi ou r d h r ton gov n t t ak dv t e h S.u cal y t t t egar h t t bur pl o he den aced on is couds ort t axpayer ' Jena A.Sol / s. d, nappr / e For or opraf um I nappr i e Law?A Choi ofLaw Sol i t t Jursdi i oprat ce- uton o he i ctonalSt andof fBet ween t he Uni d St e a Lat Amer a, 0 Emor L..1 t e ats nd i n i 6 c y J 437,1 6 ( 1 .Th Fl i Ditit 46 201 ) e or da s r c Cour ofAppealhas addr t essed t efectofAri e 1421- on di i ofactonsf he f tcl 0 sm ssal i or f um non conveni or ens. I The Scots Com panv v.Haci n t enda Lom a Li nda,942 So.2d. 6 900 ( a. s . . p. FI Dit Ct Ap 2006 , h Thi DititCour ofAppe r ered t e Iwer ) te r sr d c t al ev s h o cour' deni ofa def ts al endants m oton t di i f f um non conv ensb hol ng t ' i o sm ss or or eni di hat Panam a was an adequat aler e f um avai e t r ve t pari di e.3 As e, t nat or l abl o esol he tes' sput i t s case,a Panam ani pl ntf sued an Am ercan def n hi an ai i f i endanti t Uni St es n he t ed at f ij i t atal gedl oc re i Panama.The Sc ts Co. 9 So. d a 902. or nur h l y cu r d n es e o t , 42 2 t Alhough t cour concl t he t uded t Panam a was an avai e f um ,i r ai hat l abl or t et ned dur dit i t e en t e Panama c r doesno enerai t e c e bas d onpr ' i c i n he v t h j s on ou t t t t n h as e eemp i ' L a 903. ton. d t = Afert case w as di i t he sm ssed, he Panam ani pl ntf r ns at is sui i t an ai if ei t ed t tn Fl i cr ic r ont e ba i t t he Pana a a c th deci d j idit or i t ou t h ss ha t da cu m nin our ad l ur c i ne s on pur suantt Adi e 1421- The Scots Co.v.Haci o cl J. t enda Lom a Li nda,2 So.3d 1013, 1 5 ( a.Dit Ct App. 09) Afert e de en tapp e t e Thi DititCour 01 FI s . . 20 . t h f dan eald, h r src d t ofAppealor ed t t cicui cour di i t case. I at 1918. The coud hel der hat he r t t sm ss he d. d t 'he case pl nl bel hat ' t ai y ongs i Panam a'and Unied St es'' n ' t at ' couds cannotbe com pel by ot counti couds and I maker t r ve cases t shoul be l ed her res' aw s o esol hat d det m i i t e counti ' $ .a 1 7.Thu 'i t e f ei c ty c oos st er ned n hos res. - t 01 ' s,') h or gn oun r h e o (f . t n away is cii s I ur t tzen' awsui f dam ages sufer i t ver county, t e was no t or f ed n hat y r ' her ' r eason f Uni St es'r or t ed at esour t be devot t hearng t m ater l at1 ces o ed o i he t . d. 018. Ot cours,bot st e and f her t h at eder ,have r us t r al ef ed o ecogni f ei I t ze or gn aws hat pur tt m ake t hom e f um unavai e because ofa prorU. flng. See por o he or l abl i S. i i Mor esv. d Mo orCo. 31 F. pp. 67 67 ( D. x. 4)(i ng al For t , 3 Su 2d 2, 6 S. Te 200 f ndi The f um non conveni anal s t Fl i coud appl i i i t or ens ysi he orda i s dentcal o ed t anal st f he ysi hat eder couds appl Al al y. dana,578 F. at1289. 3d Ven u a an a ez el dequ t al n e f um b au e d en tc s t t j r diton a e, t at or ec s ef dan on ened o u i ci er s t er ; n v Te c I . 1 F.Su 2d 53 5 ( D. Y. h el Aguida . xa o, nc , 42 pp. 4, 46 S. N. 2001 (idig ) fn n ar gumen t a Ec adorc rswoud d pl n i j iditon d tu,bu c dionn th t u ou t l eny ait f ur c i oub f l t on t ig f s i dimis a asa e dl Paulwni Pl t t De Pan. p. Raamann 793 s s al s f guar ' o a an a i , ons Cor v. i an, N. . 1 1 4- ( n 2 W 2d 28, 3 35 Min. 009)( fi ig Pan afm n r ama asan ade t and a i bl qua e val e a pu i f u d pi t e pas a of t l 1 - ) bl or m es t h c e s ge Ari e 421J . c Fudher e,Pl on cont mor at ends,i t Afi tofRol n he f davi ando Vial l obos on l Pan amani W i es esan Evdenc ( 45- ) atac ed as Exhi tC t Pl ons an t s n d i e DE 3 , t h bi o at ' Repl ( ial os Evien e Af.)4t at h e i al dya c s p n i Pan y ' l ob V l d c f', h t er s r ea a e endig n ama bet ween O pcor Ar p- sesa I er i ,I and Eur oup,anot com pany oper ed nt natonal nc. ogr her at b De end tPl on.Vial Evd eAf. 1 Ac or n t Vial s, hi y f an at l obos ienc f! 4. c dig o l obo t s l l pendi I i i ' l ng igaton ' enges t val t oft underyi obl i al t chal he i y he di l ng i ons l gat egedl secur y ed Afert Coud deni Def t he ed endant m oton f I s' i or eave t suppl ent Pl on o em , at atac edteAfi viofTe Pl onan I kth Con eni t Jur dit i t e t h h f t d ai d t i en s t o i ci n h da al c ng s on Repu i ofPan bl c ama ( 45 2) t e Afi vio Rol doVial s on W i s esand DE - , h f t f an da l obo l t s ne Evi c ( 45- J an a su emen al f io Rol do Vial os ( 45 1 t hi den e DE 3 , d ppl t Afi t f an dav l ob DE - ) o s l r y m emor epl andum . Pl ntf fl a m oton f I ai if i ed i or eave t fl a surepl on Oct o i e r y ober25, 2011,ar ng t i shoul be al gui hat t d l owed t fl a surepl because Pl on had subm i ed o i e r y at t t t oft same afi t t t cour r ed wer i wo he fdavis hat hey t ul e nadm i bl i t moton t ssi e n he i o su emen . Se DE 46.Sou her Ditito Fl i L al e 7. s a e t a 'th ppl t e t n s r f or oc Rul 1 t t s h t'l e c da I m ovantm ay ser e a r y m em or v epl andum wih afi t decl atons,orot m at i s t fdavis, ar i her eral pr ded t aIsuch mat i s ar s rcty I ied t r t ofm ater r sed i t ovi hat I eral e ti l i t o ebutal m t s ai n he opp ig memor dum. S. Fl L. 7. ( )3 .Thu al ght e c tf d t a osn an ' D. a. R. 1 c ( ) s, t hou h our oun h t iwas i pr t m opert suppl entt underyi motons t di i wih t o em he l ng i o sm ss t hese afi t fdavi s, because t afi t r he fdavis ebuti ssues t Pl ntf r sed i i opposii Pl on i hat ai if ai nt s ton, at s per tedt submit afi t wih hi r ymemor mit o t he fdavis t s epl andum. See Mori v.Qual rson i N Tr s . v . I c.47 F. an ns Sers . n , 4 Supp. 1 03,1 3 1 ( D. a. 2d 3 31 - 4 S. Fl 2007)( yn mot den ig i on t stie afi t atached t r y m em or o rk fdavis t o epl andum because t afi t r t he fdavi ebuted s is es r ie i opp ton . Pl n i i n en ied t a s r y mer y b au e Pl on s u as d n osi ) ait fs ot t l o urepl i f t el ec s at fl afi t r tng i i ed fdavis ebuti ssues r sed i Pl ntf' opposii ai n ai ifs ton. 8 b t e Idemni Agr yh n t eemens. Vial osAE ! 1 Vial as erst at hi ma t y t ' l ob ' l 1 2. l obos s t h t s ter l coul be consol ed wih t s exitng case and t Def d i dat t hi s i hat endant ar l y t i pl s ei kel o m ead O pcor Ar p- sesa l er i ,I . t t sma t .Vial nt natonal nc o hi ter l obos Evi c Af. 4.Vial s l den e f % l obo l f rh av s,n hi Sup emen al f i ( 45 1 , ta ed as ExhbiA t Pl on' u t er er i s pl t Afi t DE - ) a t ch dav i t o at s Repl (Su Vial osAf.) t ta c ti Pana woul h e dicr i wh t eror y ' pp. l ob l f',ha our n ' ma d av s et on e h n t hear hi c s an woul n tb b d t d ie j iditon pur an t Aril ot o t s a e, d d o e oun o ecl ur c i n s su t o t e c 1 - Supp. l obo Af. 1 421 J. Vial s f $ 0. l Pl ntf al ar ai if so gues t even i a cour i Panam a woul hearis case, Panam a hat f tn d t i s i an i s tl nadequat f um because Pl ntf w oul be deprved off lr edi i l e or ai if d i ul em es n Panam a such as punii dam ages orpi ci t cor at veit hol Pl on tve er ng he por e l o d at per sonal I e f lal t l i y abl or t kichen' br s each ofis i t ndem niy contact Pl on O pp.at10. t r . at , DeIReal clI 8- Ho er on of he c e Pl n i ct t ough ti De . N 9. wev , e t as s ait f i hr ou t f es s opposii st es t a f um i adequat when dhe padi wi notbe deprved ofal ton, at hat or s e ' t es l l i l r emedi orteat un ail ... e t es r ed f r y ev n hough t y ma not j t s m e be ft as he y enoy he a ne i s t m i r v i an Am ercan cout 'Rayt hey ght ecei e n i t' heon Eng's & Cons r t s. I v.HLH r tuc or nc. & As oc l , 97 2 8 1 8 W L22 31 at* ( t Ci. . 7,1 98) s s.nc.No. - 01 7, 99 45 , 2 5 h r Apr 1 9 . ( emph i a d) Thu Pan ass dde . s, ama c no be c si ed an i dequ e f um mer y an t on der na at or el because Pl ntf woul be unabl t seek punii dam ages orpi ce t cor at ai if d eo tve er he por e vei5 I . G i t a r at m ateri aleady pendi i Panam a whi chal ven hat el ed t s r ng n ch l enges t he 5 Fudher or , as di m e scussed i secton C,i r because t Cour fnds n i nfa, he ti t Panam ani I gover t s di e,Pl ntf woul notbe entted t t hat an aw ns hi sput ai if d il o hese r edi even it di e wer t r ai i t s Cour. See al Pl on Repl at5em es f he sput e o em n n hi t so at y 6. 9 ver obl i att cent oft I y i ons he gat er he ndem ni Agr ent and Vial t y eem s, l obos'asseri l ton t a Panam ani coud w oul have di eton whet ornott hearPl ntf' case, hat an d scr i her o ai ifs t Cour fnds t i i uncl t Ari e 1421- woul deny Pl ntf t opporuni he t i hat t s ear hat tcl 3 d ai if he t t y t ty is case i Panam a,as Pl ntf cont or t n ai if ends. Furher or because Def t m e endant s Plt and I kt hen h e bo h c s t t j idit i Pan a on t i al c av t on en ed o urs ci n ama,he Co fn on t ud ids t Panam a i an avai e f um . Afi tofTed Pl on and Ial t hat s l abl or fdavi at t ki chen Consentng i t J iditon i t e Repu i o Panama, ta e asEx btB t Pl ons Repy ( o ur ci n h s bl f c a t ch d hii o at ' l DE 45- (lu iditonAf.) Al 2) d rs c i f'; dana, F.d at1 ' ' 578 3 290. Th , h Cou tc cl est t us t e r on ud ha Panam a i an avaiabl and adequat f um . s l e e or 6 C.The Publc and Prvat Fact s FavorDi i . i i e or sm ssal W hen consi i a m oton t di i f f um non conveni derng i o sm ss or or ens,t Cour m us he t t wei t advant gh he ages and di sadvant ages ofeach pr ospec i f um . Tazoe,631 F. tve or 3d a 1 ( tn Pi Aic a tCo.45 U. a 2 n.) Th pu i f t st Cour t 331 ci g Der r r f , 4 S. t 41 6 . e bl acor he i c t m ustconsi ar St r atve ease ofaccess t sour ofpr ;avai ly of der e:'he el i d o ces oof l i abit com pul y pr sor ocess f atendance ofwii winesses'possi ly ofvi ofpr i or t lng, t l , bii t ew em ses, i vi woul be appr i e t t acton'and aI ot pr i pr em s t m ak f ew d oprat o he i , I her actcal obl hat e ti ofa case easy,expedii ral tous,and i nexpensi ' Pi Aicr tCo. 454 U. at241 ve.' ner r af ' , S. n. ( tn GulOiCor v. led,3 U. 501, 8 ( 9 ).The pu i f t s 6 quo ig f I p. Gi b 30 S. 50 1 47 ) bl acor c i ude 'he adm i statve di i tes fow i fom coud congeston't ' ncl t ni r i f culi l ng r f i , he I i er i ocal nt est n havi I i contover es deci athome' t i er i havi t ti ofa ng ocal zed r si ded ; he nt est n ng he ral As expl ned i Secton D,i r t Coud condii di i on a ai n i nfa, he tons sm ssal Panamani coud' wii an s lngness t acceptt sui. I a Panam ani cour f l o he t f an t ound t i hat t I k dj iditon p s t o Ari e 1 - ,Pl n i c d mov t r n t e i s ti ac e ur ci ur uan t t 421 J ait f oul s cl f e o eisat t ui n s t s Cour. hi t 1 0 di si case i a f um t i athom e wih t I t m us gover t ac i , he ver t y n or hat s t he aw hat t n he ton' t avoi dance ofunnecessar pr em s i confitofI y obl n l c aws,ori t appl i off ei n he i on or gn cat Iw;an t e u f r es ofbur n ctz s i an unr a edf m wihj ydu y' Pier a d h n ain s denig i en n i elt or t ur t . p ' Aic a tCo.45 U. at2 n. ( ing Gi ed, U. a 509 .A ti c t'o l)a r r f , 4 S. 41 6 ct i l 330 S. t ) r our t oks t b al l t prvat i er t fr ,and t i t bal he i e nt es s ist hen f he ance oft prvat i er s ar f he i e nt est e ound t be o i equi se ornearequi se,iw i det m i whet ornotf or ofpubl i er n poi poi t l er ne l her act s i nt est c tp t bal i he ance i f n avorofa ti i a f ei f um . W i v.l and Seas I ,L d. raln or gn or ' l son sl nv. t , 59 F. 1 64,1 ( 1 h Ci. 009 (n er al i ton a quo a i omi e .Her 0 3d 2 271 1 t r 2 ) it n ct i s nd t t a ons t d) t e, appl i ofbot t prvat and publ f t s stongl f s di i . i on cat h he i e i ac or r y avor sm ssal c 1.Prvat I er tFac or i e nt es t s. The fr prvat i er f or r atve ease t sour ofpr ,suppods ti of ist i e nt est act , el i o ces oof ral t s case i Panam a. Def hi n endant cont t Panam a ofer superoraccess t s end hat f s i o sour ofpr . Aferconsi i t ar ent oft padi t Cour agr ces oof t derng he gum s he es, he t ees. The event gi ng rse t t s acton occured i Panam a. Ial t s vi i o hi i r n t ki chen M oton at1. The i maor yof hewi es esar Ic ed i Pana ji t t s t n e o at n ma. I a 2.' c f De end t d. t ' ept or f an s Ex t sel aIt sour ofpr ar i Panam a and have no r atonshi wih t hem ves, I he ces oof e n el i p t he Uni St es orFl i ' Pl on M oton at9'Ial t t ed at orda. at ' i , t kichen Moton at10- 1. Alhough i 1 t Pl ntf ar ai if gues t Def hat endant st ement aboutt sour ofpr ar not s' at s he ces oof e suppoded ' any com pet r d evi ' by ent ecor dence, Pl on Opp.at12,i r t t t s ' at ' n ebutal o hi ar ent Pl on subm i ed an afi tw hi i ii 1 Panam ani based gum , at t t fdavi ch dentfes 2 an- wi s Def t es endanswoul d s orc l ttil Vial nes t d epo e ala ra . l obos Evien e Af. II l d c f I 5 6. ! Addii l t s afi ti ii varous corespondence and docum ent aI I ed tonal hi fdavi dentfes i y, r s, Iocat i Pan n ama, h tar es en i t li to oft i c e. I ! 1 - 1.Thu t Cou t t a e s talo iga in hs as d. N 0 1 t s,he r 11 fnds t Def i hat endant have est i s abl shed t Panam a ofer superoraccess t sour hat f s i o ces ofpr . oof The second prvat i er f or avai ly ofcom pul y pr i e nt est act , l i abit sor ocess f or atendance ofwinesses,al suppors ti oft s case i Panam a Def t t so t ral hi n endant s . c t t tt e v tmaor yof t es esi t s c e ar l at i Panama, t i onend ha h as j i wi s n hi as e oc ed n t n ou sde t subpoena poweroft s Cour Pl on M oton at9'Ial t he hi t at i , t ki chen Moton at11. i . De en t ' l 2 a)I t Dicl ur I t1 idii al wh ma su f dan s Rue 6( nial s os es i 7 n vdu s o y ppod i s Def endant def s' enses,16 ofwhom ar l ed i Panam a. Def dan s Rul 26( ) e ocat n en t ' e a Iial s os es, hii D t t e Plt s Repl ( 45 4)(RuI 26( )l t nt Dicl ur Ex bt o h a on' i y DE - ' e a nial i Dico r ' 1 1 Def dans ha e alo r es t d t tt ey ma s ekt i ead s lsu es' 1 . en t v s epr en e ha h ) y e o mpl O pcor Ar esa I er i ,I ,a Panam ani cor aton, t t s case.Vil obos p- s nt natonal nc. an por i o hi l al Evd eAf. 1 , m pl n ! 1 ( tyi Opc p Ares It n i , n a a ienc f: 4' Co ait 1 2 i i ng or - s a n er at den f onalI c. s Pan amani c po at ) an or r i . on The Cour agr wih Def t ees t endant t w inesses cr alt t s case ar l ed s hat t uci o hi e ocat i Panam a,a f suppored by Pl ntf' ver own Com pl nt I i Com pl nt Pl ntf n act t ai i s y f ai . n t s ai , ai if al l eges t Al hat bedo Vil i G i l agel u, l bedo Vega,Anayansy Di , l u Uno,RaulGuterez, az kar i r and Caros St wer pr l agg e esentatt Mar 4,2009 m eetng wher Def he ch i e endantPl on at al l egedl m ade m i epr y sr esent i t i atons o nduce Pl ntf t unde- rt t bonds. ai i o f ie he Compait% 1 7 Bec s t es idii s, d ot er Def dan sha e i t i as l n 8. au e h e n vdual an h s en t v den ied f pot i winesses,ar out de t subpoena poweroft s Coud, t Cour coul not ental t e si he hi he t d Each oft hese i vi s i al I ed as pot i winesses i t ndi dual s so i st ental t n he afiavtand orRue 2 a)I t Diclsur . See Vial Evd c AE 1 5- ,Rul f i / d l 6( nial s o es i l obos ien e l 1 6* e $ 2 a)I ialDicl ur 1 1. 6( nt s os es 1 i 12 com pelt ratendance atti . Even iw inesses consent t appearbef e t s hei t ral8 f t ed o or hi Coud,t rtavelarangem ent woul be cos l By contas ,t hei r r s d ty. r t hese winesses ar t e wihi t subpoena powerofPanam ani couds and costy tavelarangem ent woul t n he an l r r s d be unn e s y.SeeVial s Af.11 ec s ar l obo f 1 5.Th Cour alo do n ha e j iditon l e t s es ot v ur ci s overt pot i Panam ani t r pary def he ental an hid- t endant O pcor Ar , p- sesa I er i ,I nt natonal nc. Thus,t s f oral suppors tyi t s case i Panam a. See Pi Aicr tCo. 454 hi act so t r ng hi n ner r af , U. at25 (Th DititCoud c r t c cl d t tt e p obl p ed b t S. 9 ' e src orec l on ude ha h r ems os y he y i ly t i ead pgt i t r parydef nabit o mpl i ental hid- t endant cl l suppored hol ng t ti i s eary t di he raln Sc t d.) o l '. an ' The t r prvat i er f or possi l y ofa vi oft pr i hid i e nt est act , bit i ew he em ses,al f s so avor Panam a. I t need f a vi oft Tr p O c f he or ew he um ean Cl I er i ub nt natonalHot & Tower el devel entbecam e necessar notout de t r m ofpossi ly gi t t s opm y, si he eal bit ven hat hi i Ii ton i olesa de el iga i nv v t v opmen prj t su viw woul n es arl t k pac i t o ec, ch e d ec s i a e l e n y Panam a. Thus,t s f oral f s r uton oft s case i Panam a. hi act so avor esol i hi n The f oudh and fnalprvat i er f or w hi r r t Cour t consi i i e nt est act , ch equies he to der aIot pr i pr em s t m ak ti ofa case easy,expedii I her actcal obl hat e ra! tous,and i nexpensi suppors ti oft s case i Panam a. Pot i l ve, t ral hi n ental anguage bari s f rer or Spani speaki winesses and t need t tansl e docum ent fom Spani t shng t he o r at sr sh o 8 Alhough Pl ntf has ofer t m ake is em pl t ai if f ed o t oyees ' l e . . . as ' abl avai necessar and pr y oper'Pl ntf has notofer t m ake ot winesses avai e. See j ai if ' f ed o her t l abl Plt Opp. t1 n. 1; eon, F.d a 1 5 ( o ig t tpl n i s o f t app i a on a 4 1 L 251 3 t 31 n tn ha ait f ' fer o ear n f dititcouds and assume t cos ofdeposi winesses i Ecuador' d notext t s rc he t ng t n ' di end o guar t n t pr s e i t Uni St t o I e wi es !n - ait f wh c d an eeig he e enc n he t aes f k y t s on pl n is o oul ed n f v i wh t eri f ta pl n i h be ij r b t e cr h,an t e degr al dD. ery e h n ac ait f ad en n u ed y h as f f dh ee l ege ) 13 Engl m ake i m or efi entt r ve t s sui i Panam ani couds wher Spani i sh t e fci o esol hi t n an e sh i t ofi alI s he fci anguage. See Tazoe, 631 F.d at1 3 ( tn i su r o a dimis 3 33 no ig n ppo t f s s al on f um non conv ens gr or eni ounds t ' ti i t Sout n Di rctofFl i w i hat ' raln he a her sti orda l l c ause si fcanttansl i cost The m uli e r t fom Br l i gnii r aton s. tpl epors r azian nvestgat s ar i i or e i Podugese,as ar vi l aI oft f i m em ber docum ent t r at t n e dual I he am l y y s' s hat el e o dam ages. Many ot docum ent woul have t be tansl ed i o Engl , al wih her s d o r at nt i sh ong t t e t t y o s er wi s es. . Gient es l guag r at i h es i mon f ev al t s n v h e an ne ) e-el ed mpedi t t s men s,hi case i m osteasi expedii y,and i s l y, tousl nexpensi y ti i Panama.g vel red n 2.Publ I er Fac or i nt est t s. c The publ i er f or al stongl suppor r vi t s case i Panam a lo i nt est act s so r y c t esol ng hi n . G i t vastnum berofcases pendi i t Sout n Di rctofFl i , t ven he ng n he her sti orda he adm i statve difculi fowi fom cour congeston, f ni r i fi tes l ng r t i avortyi t s case i r ng hi n Panam a. Pl ntf concedes t i ' ai if hat t ' under t s ands and acknowl edges t t s Cour' hat hi ts I i a h y on an t at u ca! es r esar I t ' t kt en Opp. t1 The oad s eav e d h j dii r ou c e i ed. ali mi 'I ch a 9. Som e cours have descrbed t f t i he oudh publ i er f oras i nt est act c ' f c lyo aj dgmen . W i on, F.d at1 70. Thi publ it e tf c or ' oreabit f u en i t' l 590 3 ' s 2 s i n er s a t c al suppods ti oft s case i Panam a. As Pl ntf poi s outi is opposii , t e so ral hi n ai if nt nt ton her i a Fl i st ut w hi per i pl ntfs t domestcat and execut f ei s orda at e ch m t ai if o s i e e or gn j dgmens. Plt Op a 1 ,Uni m For gn Mon - udgmens Rec t Ac , u t a on p. t 6. f or ei ey l t ognion t i Fl St t j 55. - 60 Thu en or ea lyofaj gmen as wei s i f vor a. a . j 601 55. 7. s, f c bit i ud t lo gh n a of Panam a because Fl i I expl ty pr des a m echani t enf ce a Panam ani orda aw i l ovi ci sm o or an j dgmen a ns Fl i r si t . u t gai t or e den s da Alhough t Cour fnds t t prvat i er f or over t he ti hat he i e nt est act s whel i m ng f avordi i ,t Coud has nonet ess al anal sm ssal he hel so yzed each oft publ i er t he i nt es c f t se ent ough ii no r ie t do s Se Al acor v h ts t equr d o o. e dana, F.d a 1 8 (idig 578 3 t 29 fn n t becaus t di rctcour had concl hat e he sti t uded t t prvat i er tf t s hat he i e nt es ac or over whel i y f ed di i ,iwas notnecessar t anal t publ i er m ngl avor sm ssal t yo yze he i nt est c f t s. acor) 14 Cour r j t Pl n i ' ar t eecs ait f gumen t a 'he e i evd e t at he c ts s e i fs t h t' r s ienc h t our y t m n t Panam a i m assi y backl s vel ogged'because t s cont i i unsuppoded w ih specii ' hi enton s t fc f t ab tt e I t o dely.I ; e L acs ou h eng h f a d. s e eon, F.d a 1 2 (idig t ta ditit 251 3 t 31 fn n ha s r c c tma rj tpait f g al gument ha f ei f um s fer fom ser s our y e ec l n i ' ener ar fs t t or gn or u f s r i ou c r t ordelywh e t e al t ar isu t tal s orup i on a er h l i ega ons e n bsan i l uppor . y t ed) Second,Panam a cl l has a superori er i r vi t s di e t t eary i nt est n esol ng hi sput han he Uni St es. The El t ed at event Cicui has hel t dti cl t a sover gn has a ver h r t d hat ' s ear hat i ei y s r g it es wh i ctz s ar al dl vci an t ij yoc ur on ho ton ner t en t i en e l y itms d he nur c s s i ege me s l Ta oe, F.d at1 34 ( t n qu a i and ct t som ie ; ee alo oi' z 631 3 . 3 i er al ot t n ons i i a on t dl s s t PierAi r f Co.454 U. a 260 (i ngt a Amerc s it es i af ei ai an p r at , c S. t fndi h t ia' ner t n or gn r e pl ac i t'ssi y n s fii tt j tf t en mou c cden ' mpl ot u f en o usi he or s ommi tof u cali and i c y t men j dii t me r esour t woul i t y be r r i t case wer t be ti 'i t Unied ces hat d neviabl equied f he e o red' n he t St t l Th Sc t Co. 9 So. at903 (idig t at' or h n it es i aes ; e ot s , 42 2d fn n h ' i as o n er t n Fl da ad u c i t dipu e ofa Pan j diat he s t ng ama c por i wh e pr er was ij ed i or at on os op t y n ur n Panama b ev t t i pl e'i Pan y en s akng ac 'n ama) .Her t e Pl n i i a Panamani e, h ait f s f an c po at whi su f ed an ij y r a ed t b ies tan ac i whih oc ured or r i on ch fer nur elt o usn s r s t ons c c r I gel i Panam a. Pl on M oton at11. Addii l t e i aleady r at I i i ar y n at i tonal her s r y, el ed igaton t pen n i Pan dig n ama.I ; l ob Evien eAf. 1 , l obosAf.11 Pan s d.Vial os d c f! 4' l l Vial f 1 2. ama' i er i r vi t s di e,t ef e, i gr ert t Uni St es'i er t nt est n esol ng hi sput her or s eat han he t ed at nt es . The t r and f t publ i er f t s r r t Cour t ass w hi hid ourh i nt est ac or equie he c to ess ch j idit s Iw wi ap y. Bec et e Cou c cl est tPa ur c i a l pl s on' l aus h d on ud ha namani Iw wi an a l l lk y gover alcount ofPl ntf' com pl nt bot t t r and f iel n I s ai ifs ai , h he hid oudh publ i er i nt est c f or f act s avorti oft s case i Panam a. The need t appl f ei I ,especi l a ral hi n o y or gn aw al y 1 5 f ei I w ih whi t cour i unf iar f s di i . Pi Aicr tCo. 454 or gn aw t ch he t s am l , avor sm ssal ner r af i , U. a 260 ( ot t ti Gi er t e Cour f ndt tt e n t appl f ei lw S. t n i ha n l t h ng b t ou ha h eed o y or gn a poi ed t nt owar di i and uphol ng di i even i Amercan l appl ds sm ssa! di sm ssal f i aw i ed b aus aIt e ot erpubl it es f c or f or tiln Sc tan .Av danc o a ec e Ih h i n er t a t s av ed ra i o l d) oi e f c confi ofI anal s al f s di i l ct aws ysi so avor sm ssal Ta e, zo 631 F. at1 34 (i n t a 2d 3 f g h t ndi . I i i hood t Br l I woul appl t pl ntfs'cl m s f ed di i t avoi a kel hat azii aw an d y o ai if ai avor sm ssal o d c fc o Iwsorappl a i off ei Iw) Her De en t co t d t a on l t f a i i ton or gn a . e, f dan s n en h t c Panam ani l appl t aI Pl ntf cl ms. Pl on Moton at16*Ial t an aw i o I ai irs ai es at i chen Moton i , t ki at13. Pl ntf,on t ot hand,ar ai i f he her gues t Fl i I appl t t br hat orda aw i o he each of es contactcl m agai tIal t r ai ns t ki chen and t 'he f al t Panam a I m ay appl i hat ' act one hat t aw ys i fci t suppod di i oft case. Pl on Opp.at16- 1 nsufi ent o sm ssal he ' at 17.1 Af eder cour sitng i dier t m ustappl t choi ofI r es oft f um al t ti n v si y y he ce aw ul he or st e. Tr petVi I .N. v.Uni CanialParner 1 I ,92 F. 1110,1115 at um ne nv. V. on t t s . nc. 3d ( 1h Ci.1 96) Ac or ngl,Fl i c ie o I r esgo er For or cai , 1 t r 9 . c di y or hoc f aw ul v n. t t l ms da Fl i appl st mos sgnic tr a i s pt ts f i Resat or da i he t i f an elton hi es et odh n t emen ( on e i t Sec d) o Con l tofLa j 1 Tr et n lv. N. , 2 F. a 111 Seci 1 f fi c ws 45. umn Vie n . V. 9 3d t 6. ton 45 pr des t : ovi hat ( )t e rghs an I li of he pari wi r pe tt an 1 h i t d i ies t abit t t es c o es h I coul be sur i fom t s ar entt Pl ntf concedes t t d m sed r hi gum hat ai if hat Panam ani I appl t is faud and br an aw i ot r es each ofcontac cl ms agai Pl on. r t ai nst at Pl ntf pr des zer suppod f i ar entt ' ai if ovi o or t gum s hat ' because Fl i I gover t orda aw ns he br each ofcontac agai Ial t r t nst t kichen,i al appl t t cl m agai Pl on t hol t so i o he ai es nst at o d hi per m sonal r l esponsi e f lal t y bl or t kichen' br s each oft I he ndem niy Agr entunder t eem alerego prnci s. Pl on O pp.at17. I t Com pl nt t br t i pal ' at n he ai , he each ofcontac cl m r t ai agai tPl on i based on t separ e i ns at s he at ndem ni agr entPl on si t y eem at gned. Compl n I 43 49. ait N 16 i ssue i t tar det m i by t I n or e er ned he ocalI oft st e aw he at whi wih r ch, t espectt t i o hat ssue,has t m ostsi fcant he gnii r atonshi t t occurence and t padi undert el i p o he r he es he prn pl s a e i j 6. ici es t t d n 1 2 ( Con a t t b t en it c i a i i applig t e 2) t c s o e ak n o onsder ton n yn h prn i esofj 6 t d er n t I appl abl t an is icpl o et mie he aw i e o s ue c i ude: ncl ( t e pac wher t ij yoc ured, a) h l e e he nur c r ( t e pl e wher t c duc c sn t e ij y b) h ac e he on t au ig h nur occured, r ( )t e domii r den e,n i ly pl e o c h cl esi c at i , ac f e, ona t i por i and busi ncor aton, ness oft padi and he es, ( t e plc wh e t e r a i shp,fan b ween d) h a e er h elton i i y, et t pari i cent ed. he tes s er Res a emen ( c )o Con l to L 51 ( 971 . Pl n i al gest ti r i on tt t Se ond f fi f aws 45 1 ) ait f l c f e ha t el ed r esent i Def epr atons endantPl on m ade ata Mar 4,2009 m eetng whi t pl at ch i ch ook ace i Pan n ama. Complit1 42.Th dama Pl ntfsu f ed oc r i Pan an 1 e ges ai i fer f cured n ama. Because m eetngs bet i ween t pari occured i Panam a and t pari he tes r n he tes' eary he ag eemenswer r at t a de el men p oec i Pan r t e el ed o v op t r j t n ama, Panam a was cl l t The f t s s tf t i j 6 icu acor e orh n n lde: ( t e n eds o t e it sa e and it n i al y t a) h e f h n ert t n er at s sems, on ( t e r ev tp i e o t f um, b) h el an ol s f he or ci ( )t e r e an p ii ofo herit esed sat s an t e c h elv t ol es t ner t t e d h c r atve i er s oft el i nt est hose st es i t det m i i oft at n he er naton he padi ari cul ssue, ( t e p o eci o j s ie e pecat s, d) h r t ton f u t id x t i f on ( t e b si p i es u er ig t e padiul f d o Iw, e) h a c ol ci nd l n h y c ar i f a el ( c t ny, edit lyan unf mi ofr ul and 9 erait pr cabit d i t es t i or y , ( )ea e i t e de er n i an ap iat o t e l t g s n h t miat on d pl i f h aw o c on be appl i ed. Resat t emen ( on ofCon l to L ws j 6 ( 9 ) t Sec d) fi f a c 1 71 . 17 c eroft pari r atonshi Alhough Pl on i a Fl i r dent he engaged i ent he tes' el i p. t at s orda esi , n ext ve busi ensi ness oper i i Panam a. Accor ngl t l ofPanam a appl t atons n di y, he aw i o es Pl ntf' faud cl m agai tPl on because Panam a has t m os si fcant ai ifs r ai ns at he t gnii r atonshi wih t cl m . el i p t he ai Forcontac cl m s,Fl i appl t I I contact r e f choi ofI r t ai orda i he ex oci es r us ul or ce aw det m i i er natons. Tr petVi I ,N. ,92 F. at1119. Undert s r e,i um ne nv. V. 3d hi ul ssues r di t val t and subs antve obl i ofcontac s ar gover by t I egar ng he i y di t i i ons gat r t e ned he aw oft pl e wher t contac i m ade. 1 A contac i made wher t I ac he ac e he r ts . I. r ts e he ast t . necessar t com pl e t contacti peror ed. $- I yo et he r s f m . ssues r di peror egar ng f mance of . a contactar gover by t I oft pl e w her t contac i t be peror r e ned he aw he ac e he r ts o f med. Hammet v. Ban er Is. o FI , F. D. t Am. k s n Co. f a.203 R. 690, ( D. a. 700 S. Fl 2001 . ) Because Pl ntf has br ai if oughtbr each ofcontactcl m s agai bot Def r ai nst h endant t s, he I oft pl w her t contac s wer t be peror aw he ace e he r t e o f med gover l ns.3 The pl n l ai anguage oft i he ndem niy agr ent est i t Panam a i t t eem s abl hat sh s he pl ofperor ance.4 The lal t ace f m l t kichen I ndem ni Agr entpr des t t t y eem ovi hat he Because t s Cour fnds t t prvat i er f or over hel i y hi ti hat he i e nt est act s w m ngl f avordi i and appl i ofchoi ofI prnci s i cat t Panam ani I sm ssal i on cat ce aw i pal ndi e hat an aw appl t Coud decl t anal Def i he es, i o nes yze endant cont i t t choi ofI s' enton hat he ce aw p ovsi i t e Tr tAgr r i on n h us eemen , tch asEx btA t Pl n i ' Compl n ( 1 4) t ata ed hii o ait f fs ait DE - , r r t Panam a I appl t t I equies hat aw y o he ndem ni Agr ent See lal t t y eem s. t ki chen M oton at i 4- ,Pl on M oton at3- Furher or t ver f tt t s case necessiat such a 5* at i 5. t m e, he y ac hat hi t es com pl ed choi ofI anal s wei i f i cat ce aw ysi ghs n avorofdi i .See Tazoe,631 F. at sm ssal 2d 1334. Pl ntf cont ai if ends t because t Ial t hat he t kichen I ndem ni Agr entwas t y eem execut i M i i Fl i I gover t br ed n am , orda aw ns he each ofcontactcl m agai Ial t r ai nst t kichen. Ial t t ki chen Opp.at1 Pl ntf ci Fr Teiel Constucton Co.ofFl i I v. 4. ai if t es ed t bau r i orda. nc. Sant Fe Devel a oDmentCor f t pr p. or he oposii t ' ton hat ' undercontolng Fl i I t rl i orda aw he I obl i ofan i egal i ons gat ndem ni agr entar gover by t I oft pl w her t y eem e ned he aw he ace e 18 ' NCI L shal upon dem and deposi curentf ' PRI PA l t r undsw ih SURETY i an am ount t n sufi entt coverany contngentI s, Iabit orexpense i connecton wih any fci o i os i ly i n i t Is an e Bon ( )e ecu e orp oc ed b SURETY. I kt en Idemni n ur c d s x t d r ur y 't i ' al ch n t y Agr eemen ! 2,Ex biC t Pl n i' Compl n I 1 6 . The Plt I m nt t1 hi t o aitfs f ait DE - J1 5 a on nde i y Agr eementcont ns a subs antal si i pr si . Plt I emni Agr ai t i l m l ovi on a on nd y ar t eemen ! 2, y t1 ExhbtB t Pl n i ' Compl n ( 1 5 . Bec s t idemni a eemen sr i ii o ait f fs ait DE - J au e he n t gr y t equr e Def endant t com pl e t rperor so et hei f mance i Panam a by deposii f n tng unds w ih t Pl ntf a Panamani cor aton,Panamani l gover Accor ngl, di i ai it an por i an aw ns. di y sm ssal i warant t avoi appl i off ei I and a confitofI anal s. s r ed o d i on or gn aw cat l c aws ysi As t t ffh and fnalpubl i er f or t Cour fnds t i i unf rt o he it i i nt est act , he c ti hat t s ai o b d j or fom Sou h Fl ia wi j yduyt r ole a dipu e c t e i ur en ur s r t ord t ur t o es v h s t en er d n Panam a.As di scussed above, t i c e iv v a Pan hs as n oles amani pl n i ij e i an ait f nur d n f Panam a. I i unf rf Fl i cii t s ai or orda tzens t devot t rval e tm e t r ve a o e hei uabl i o esol di e w hi pr l bel sput ch opery ongs i Panam a. n D.The Cour Condii Di i t tons sm ssalon Pl nt/ s Abiiy t Fie Sui i Panam a. ai i lt o l tn The fnalpad oft f um non conveni anal s r r t Cour t assess i he or ens ysi equies he to t contactw as m ade. 462 So.2d 560, 5 ( a. s . . he r ' ' 61 Fl Dit Ct App.1 ) Be aus 985 . c e Pl ntf has notchal ai if l enged t val t oft i he i y he ndem ni agr ent buti ead brngs a di t y eem , nst i br each ofcontactcl m agai Ial t r ai nst t kichen, t Cour bel he t i eves t t I oft pl hat he aw he ace wher peror e f mance wasdue,notwher t contactwas made,gover . Ham m et, e he r ns t 203 F. D.at700. However even acceptng Pl ntf' ar entas tue, Fl i I R. , i ai if gum s r orda aw woul appl onl t Pl ntf' br d y y o ai ifs each ofcontac cl m agai tDef r t ai ns endantlal t t kichen. Because Panam a I woul appl t t outofPl ntf' t ee cl m s, t s f orwoul aw d y o wo ai ifs hr ai hi act d stlf i avordi i . l sm ssal The Ial t t kichen l ndem niy Agr t eementdefnes Amercan Assur i i ance Cor p t successori i er ofPl ntf, as t sur y and lal t he n nt est ai i f he et t kichen I er i ,I ,as, nt natonal nc. . t prnci . See Ial t he i pal t kichen l ndem ni Agr ent t y eem . 19 whet Pl ntf can r ns at i sui i Panam a wihoutundue i her ai if ei t e t t n s t nconveni ence or prj die.Ta oe, F.d a 1 0. I t ei r pl memor da,b h Def dan sar eu c z 631 3 t 33 n h r e y an ot en t gue t Pl ntf can r ns at i sui i Panam a. Pl on Repl at10*Ial t hat ai if ei t e t s tn at y , t ki chen Repl at y 1 Addion l,b h Def 0. t al ot endans h e c ened t j idit i Pana t r ole i y t av ons t o ur c i n s on ma o es v t s case. See Jursdi i Af The De en t alo sat t t'al y an aIcai d hi i cton f f dan s s t e ha ' n d I l me l . i mpedi t t j idit i Pan men s o ur c i n ama c d be c e b c dion dim is ' Pl on s on oul ur d y on t al s s al' at i . Repl at10.Ial t y , t kichen Repl at10. The Coud agr y ees. Num er s at and f ous t e eder al couds have condii toned di i on t abit ofa pary t r nst e is sui i a f ei sm ssal he ly i t o ei at t t n or gn j rs c i See Gs h n v. s a Ai r f Co. 1 F.d 602, 7 ( 0 h Ci.1 ) u idit on. c wid Ce sn r a t , 61 3 c 60 1 t r 998 (ondioni dim is on c s tt r nsa emen ij rs c i i Fr e wa c t ng s s al on en o ei t t i t f u idit n anc s on deciedl Acun 1 F. pp. at5 (idig ar men t tEcu rc rs l ' ida, 42 Su 2d 46 fn n gu t ha n , ado ou t woud d ypl n i j idit dou f , tc t n di s al a s e dl l en ait f ur c i f s on btulbu ondionig smis as af guar ; i Rai nnan, 3 N. . a 1 ( dig t a t dititc m a dimisonf um ama 79 W 2d t 34 hol n h t he s r oud y s s c or non conveni gr ens ounds even t hough t adequacy oft f um i notabsol el he he or s ut y c t n,ft dim is i c dion ) erai i he s s als on t al. i I f t t El n ac , he event Cicui has hel t t uncedai y ofwhet a f ei h r t d hat he nt her or gn f um m ay heara case i nota bari t a f um non conveni di i '' i t or s rer o or ens sm ssal ' s he . Nor al l eged uncerai y overLaw No 55 an obst e t di i 't Di rc Cour woul t nt acl o sm ssal he stit , t d . p es bl r s er j idit o t c e i t e e en t t ur diton i t e r uma y ea s turs c i ver he as n h v t ha j i ci n h on s Ecuadoran couds i declned. Leon, 251 F. at1313. I Leon,t El i s i ' ' 3d n he event Cicui h r t modied t e dititc t or erofdim is t pr i t at u idit c d b f h s r oùr' d i c s s s alo ovde h j rs c i oul e on r ns at i t Unied St es i t Ecuadoran cour r used t heart case l at ei t ed n he t at f he i t ef o he d. . 131 Thu b aus Def dan s h v c s t t j iditon i Pan 6. s, ec e en t a e on en ed o ur ci n ama an t e s dh 20 Coud w i al Pl ntf t r nst e i case i t s Coud i a Panam a coud r uses l l l ow ai i o ei at t f s n hi f ef j rs c i t e Cour her bydimis Pl n i ' Compl n bas d onf u n u idit h on, t e s s es ait f fs ait e or m on conveni ens. 11 CO NCLUSI 1. ON l I oft f egoi i i ORDERED AND ADJUDG ED as f l ni ght he or ng, t s ol ows: 1. Def endantIal t t kichen I er i nt natonalI .' M oton t Di i Pl ntf' Com pl nt nc s i o sm ss ai ifs ai ( 1 Ji GRANTED' DE I s , 2. De en tTe Pl ons Mo i t Dim is Pl n i Compl n ( 1 i f dan d at ' ton o s s aitfs f ait DE 6Js G RANTED; 3, The above- i captoned case i her DI I s eby SM SSED W I THO UT PREJUDI CE; 4. The Cl k shalCLOSE t s case and DENY aI pendi m otons as M OOT;and er l hi I ng i 5. Pl n i ma mov t r ent s c s ia c i Panama r f e j rs c i ait f y f e o eop hi a e f oud n e us s u idit on overi cl m s. t ai s DO NE AND O RDERED i Cham ber , n s F ratidy9 dyosvmbr01atFrLued eBo adC ut, li ,u a a f oe e2 1. otadr ,rw r on od s y # JAM ES 1 CO HN . Unied t es Di rctJudge t at st i Copi pr ded t counselofr d vi CM/ es ovi o ecor a ECF . 21
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