How does forum non conveniens allow a court to dismiss a case that belongs in another country?

In the context of conflict of laws, forum non conveniens (Latin for "inconvenient forum") is a legal doctrine used primarily in common-law countries to decline jurisdiction over a case, even when the court technically has the power to hear it.12

Courts utilize this doctrine to prevent local judicial systems from becoming overwhelmed by litigation that lacks a meaningful connection to the forum. Dismissal is often triggered when a plaintiff engages in "forum shopping"—choosing a jurisdiction specifically to gain procedural or substantive advantages, such as more favorable damage awards or easier discovery, that are unavailable in the location where the dispute actually arose.1

When evaluating a motion to dismiss for forum non conveniens, courts consider whether exercising jurisdiction would be unduly burdensome for the defendant or the court itself. For example, if a case involves foreign parties, foreign evidence, and a foreign cause of action, a court may determine that the matter is more appropriately resolved in the country where the events occurred. By dismissing such cases, the court protects both the defendant from unfair litigation burdens and the local judiciary from the strain of resolving disputes with which it has no legitimate concern.1