Contract Clause Guide

Governing Law: Which Rules Apply to Your Contract

A governing law clause specifies which jurisdiction's laws will interpret the contract and where legal disputes must be handled. This can significantly impact your rights and the cost of resolving disputes.

Example Clause

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. The parties irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Wilmington, Delaware for any disputes arising hereunder.

What This Means

Delaware law applies to this contract, and any lawsuit must be filed in Delaware courts. This means if you have a dispute, you'll need to hire Delaware lawyers and potentially travel there for court proceedings.

Common Risks to Watch For

1

Unfavorable jurisdiction with laws that favor the other party

2

Distant forum that increases litigation costs

3

Waiver of conflict of laws protections

4

Exclusive jurisdiction eliminating forum options

5

Different consumer protection standards than your home state

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