Rhode Island Supreme Court Recognizes Forum Non Conveniens Doctrine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Supreme Court has followed the example of federal courts and the other 49 states, recognizing for the first time the doctrine of forum non conveniens in an asbestos case. Kedy, et al. v. A.W. Chesterton Co., et al., No. 2005-332; In re: Asbestos Litigation, No. 2005-319 (R.I. Sup. Ct.).

In the May 9 opinion, the state's high court reversed the denial of summary judgment motions in 39 asbestos cases, after finding that the newly recognized doctrine did not permit the cases, filed by Canadian residents, to proceed in Rhode Island.

The cases were filed …