105 So. 3d 592
Fla. Dist. Ct. App.2013Background
- Appellee Santana Sales & Marketing Group, Inc. filed third amended complaint against Appellants Espresso Disposition Corp 1 and Rowland Coffee Roasters, Inc. in Florida despite a mandatory Illinois forum clause.
- The brokerage agreement (2002) contains a forum selection clause stating the venue for any action under the agreement shall be Illinois and Illinois law governs.
- Appellants moved to dismiss based on the forum clause; trial court denied these motions.
- Appellee contends the clause is a mistake drafted without proper change to Florida venue, supported by an attached affidavit of drafting error.
- Florida appellate court reviews de novo the enforceability of forum selection clauses and reverses where the clause is unambiguous and mandatory.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the forum clause is mandatory and enforceable | Santana argues Illinois is proper per clause. | Espresso/Rowland argue clause must be enforced as exclusive forum. | Clause is mandatory and enforceable; Illinois venue must be used. |
| What standard governs review of forum clause interpretation | De novo review favors enforcing clause. | De novo review confirms enforceability under Florida law. | De novo review applied; clause enforced. |
| Whether misdrafting constitutes a basis to avoid enforcement | Clause drafted by mistake warrants avoidance. | No evidence supports unilateral or mutual mistake; no basis to avoid clause. | No exception recognized; enforce clause and dismiss. |
Key Cases Cited
- Am. Safety Cas. Ins. Co. v. Mijares Holding Co., LLC, 76 So.3d 1089 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011) (forum clauses presumptively valid; exception only if no forum exists)
- Celistics, LLC v. Gonzalez, 22 So.3d 824 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009) (de novo review of contractual forum clauses)
- Corsec, S.L. v. VMC Int’l Franchising, LLC, 909 So.2d 945 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005) (validates forum selection clauses as preferred mechanism)
- Sonus-USA, Inc. v. Thomas W. Lyons, Inc., 966 So.2d 992 (Fla. 5th DCA 2007) (unambiguous mandatory language triggers enforcement)
- Golden Palm Hospitality, Inc. v. Stearns Bank Nat’l Ass’n, 874 So.2d 1231 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004) (clarifies enforceability despite choice-of-law provisions)
- Corsee, S.L. v. VMC Int’l Franchising, LLC, 909 So.2d 947 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005) (forum clause enforceability unless no forum exists)
- Manrique v. Fabbri, 493 So.2d 437 (Fla. 1986) (policy favoring forum clauses; reduces litigation)
- Shoppes L.P. v. Conn, 829 So.2d 356 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002) (illustrates when forum clause is mandatory)