Texas Court Abused Discretion by Retaining Maine Action, Amici Say

AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas trial court erred by interpreting the state's forum non conveniens statute as creating broad discretion to determine the best way to achieve "justice" in out-of-state plaintiffs' asbestos actions, several groups have asserted in an amici curiae brief. In Re General Electric Company, et al., No. 07-0195 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

The April 10 brief filed in the Texas Supreme Court in support of defendants' petition for writ of mandamus contends that the state legislature's amendments to the 1993 statute replaced permissive language with language mandating that Texas courts not hear external disputes, including asbestos cases.

The …