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Clause Library

Jurisdiction Clause Examples

A contractual provision specifying the courts or legal system that will have authority to resolve disputes arising from the agreement.

16 examplesSourced from SEC EDGAR

Jurisdiction Clause Overview

A jurisdiction clause designates which court or court system has the authority to hear and decide disputes arising from the agreement, separate from which law applies to interpreting the contract's terms.

It's included so that if a dispute needs to go to court, the parties aren't fighting over where to even file the case, which can otherwise become an expensive preliminary battle before the real dispute is even addressed.

Check whether the clause makes the named court exclusive, the only place a case can be filed, or just non-exclusive, an allowed option among others, and confirm it's paired sensibly with the agreement's choice-of-law and dispute-resolution provisions.

Sample Clauses - Jurisdiction

DATADOG, INC.Sublease Agreement2019-08-23DEServices-Prepackaged Software
Sublandlord and Subtenant each hereby (a) irrevocably consents and submits to the jurisdiction of any Federal, state, county or municipal court sitting in the State of New York in respect to any action or proceeding concerning any matters arising out of or in any way relating to this Sublease; (b) irrevocably waives all objections as to venue and any and all rights it may have to seek a change of venue with respect to any such action or proceedings if the same is brought in New York City; (c) agrees that this Sublease and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by and construed, and all actions, proceedings and all controversies and disputes arising under or
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DATADOG, INC.Sublease Agreement2019-08-23DEServices-Prepackaged Software
Any action or proceeding in respect to any matters arising out of or relating to this Sublease shall be brought only in the State of [State], County of [County].
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HIGH TIDE INC.Share Purchase Agreement
Each Party irrevocably attorns and submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Alberta in respect of all matters arising under and in relation to this Agreement or the Arrangement and waives, to the fullest extent possible, the defence of an inconvenient forum or any similar defence to the maintenance of proceedings in such courts.
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2U, INC.Office Lease2017-02-24DEServices-Prepackaged Software
This Lease shall be governed by the Requirements of the jurisdiction in which the Building is located. There shall be no presumption that this Lease be construed more strictly against the party who itself or through its agent prepared it, it being agreed that all parties hereto have participated in the preparation of this Lease and that each party had the opportunity to consult legal counsel before the execution of this Lease.
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2U, INC.Office Lease2017-02-24DEServices-Prepackaged Software
This Lease shall be governed by the Requirements of the jurisdiction in which the Building is located. There shall be no presumption that this Lease be construed more strictly against the party who itself or through its agent prepared it, it being agreed that all parties hereto have participated in the preparation of this Lease and that each party had the opportunity to consult legal counsel before the execution of this Lease.
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ADVISORS' INNER CIRCLE FUND IIIInvestment Advisory Agreement2021-01-28DE
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware, and the Adviser consents to the jurisdiction of courts, both state and federal, in Delaware, with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
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AT HOME GROUP INC.Registration Rights Agreement2016-07-25DERetail-Home Furniture, Furnishings & Equipment Stores
THE COMPANY AND EACH STOCKHOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENTS TO SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (AND AGREES NOT TO COMMENCE ANY LITIGATION RELATING THERETO EXCEPT IN SUCH COURTS), WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION IN SUCH DELAWARE COURTS AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THAT SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH DELAWARE COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
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ACM RESEARCH, INC.Housing Lease Contract2017-09-13CASpecial Industry Machinery, NEC
Any dispute arising out of the performance of this Contract shall be resolved by the parties hereto through mutual negotiation. If no agreement is concluded through such negotiation, please lodge a lawsuit to the people's court where the Premises locate.
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AETERNA ZENTARIS INC.Licensing Agreement
For any dispute relating to the validity, performance, construction or interpretation of this Agreement, exclusive jurisdiction shall vest with the Frankfurt am Main, Germany courts.
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ALTERNUS ENERGY INC.Common Stock Purchase Warrant2019-08-13NVElectric Services
All questions concerning governing law, jurisdiction, venue and the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
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APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.Employment Agreement2018-02-28DESemiconductors & Related Devices
Each party to this Agreement hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in [Location], for the purposes of any proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement.
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APPLIED OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.Employment Agreement2018-02-28DESemiconductors & Related Devices
The Company and Employee irrevocably and unconditionally consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in [Location] as the sole venue and location for any actions, suits, or proceedings arising out of or relating to any aspect of this Agreement and all issues arising out of or relating to the employment relationship between the Company and Employee.
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ANTLER SCIENCE TWO PLCCommercial Lease Agreement
All actions or proceedings arising directly or indirectly hereunder may, at the option of Tenant, be litigated in courts having situs within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Guarantor hereby expressly consents to the jurisdiction of any local, state or federal court located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and consents that any service of process in such action or proceeding may be made by personal service upon any Guarantor wherever Guarantor may then be located or by certified or registered mail to Guarantor at the address specified below Guarantor's signature.
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ARKO CORP.Primary Supplier Distribution Agreement2020-10-29DERetail-Convenience Stores
The Documents will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to applicable choice of law. Customer and Supplier agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of Delaware for any dispute arising out of the sale of the Products or Custom Products by Supplier to Customer. Customer submits to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and hereby irrevocably submits, consents, and waives any objection to the jurisdiction and venue of such courts on the basis of venue, inconvenient forum, or otherwise.
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ARRIVALEmployment Contract
Each party irrevocably agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this agreement or its subject matter or formation (including non contractual disputes or claims).
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AT HOME GROUP INC.Registration Rights Agreement2016-07-25DERetail-Home Furniture, Furnishings & Equipment Stores
THE COMPANY AND EACH STOCKHOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENTS TO SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR ANY LITIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (AND AGREES NOT TO COMMENCE ANY LITIGATION RELATING THERETO EXCEPT IN SUCH COURTS), WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION IN SUCH DELAWARE COURTS AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THAT SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH DELAWARE COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
View SEC Filing

All clause examples are sourced from publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. These clauses are provided for educational and reference purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult a qualified attorney before using any clause in your contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jurisdiction clause?
A contractual provision specifying the courts or legal system that will have authority to resolve disputes arising from the agreement.
When would a contract include the Jurisdiction clause?
Parties typically add a clause like this when the underlying issue is important enough that they want the agreement itself to state a clear, negotiated position, rather than leaving it to interpretation, industry custom, or whatever default rule would otherwise apply. How specific the wording gets usually reflects how much this point mattered in negotiation.
What should I watch for when reviewing the Jurisdiction clause?
Wording for this type of clause varies a lot between contracts, scope, triggering conditions, exceptions, and any related defined terms are often heavily negotiated. When reviewing one, compare it against your own priorities rather than assuming a standard or "market" version applies, and check how it interacts with other clauses in the same agreement.
Is this clause legally required, and can I just copy an example into my contract?
Whether a clause like this is needed, and exactly how it should be worded, depends on the contract, the industry, and the laws that apply to that specific agreement. The examples on this page are for general education and reference, not legal advice, so for a contract you intend to sign, have the specific language reviewed by a qualified lawyer.

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