Question

International Shoe Corporation’s
defense was not valid. A court’s exercise of personal
jurisdiction is constitutional when a defendant has minimum contacts with the state where a lawsuit is
brought such that notions of fair play and substantial justice would not be offended. For the purposes
of personal jurisdiction, a corporation is normally subject to the jurisdiction in the state in which is was
incorporated, has its principal office and is doing business. Under the long arm statute, a court can
exercise jurisdiction over certain out-of-state activities that took place within the state. In this case,
International Shoe was doing business in Washington--it had minimum contacts through the 11-13
salespersons it had in Washington who exhibited samples and solicited orders from customers in the
state on a “systematic and continuous basis”.

Answer 1

In most simple terms personal jurisdiction means that the judge has the power to take decisions which may or may not affect the defendant. The requirement of minimum contact is imposed to ensure a fair and rational judgement.