Personal jurisdiction in California civil litigation refers to the court’s authority to make decisions affecting the parties involved in a case. For a California court to have personal jurisdiction over a defendant, the defendant must have sufficient connections to the state, either through their actions, residence, or business activities. California courts typically assert personal jurisdiction over individuals or entities who are residents of the state, or who have purposely availed themselves of the privileges and protections of California law by conducting business, entering into contracts, or committing tortious acts within the state. This ensures that individuals or businesses cannot be hauled into court in California unless they have meaningful ties to the state.
There are two types of personal jurisdiction in California: general and specific. General jurisdiction applies when a defendant’s contacts with California are so substantial that they render them essentially at home in the state, such as a corporation with its primary operations or headquarters located in California. Specific jurisdiction, on the other hand, arises when the defendant’s actions in California are closely related to the claim being brought against them. For example, if a defendant commits a tort or enters into a contract in California, the court may assert specific jurisdiction over them in relation to that particular action. The California courts will assess the fairness and reasonableness of asserting jurisdiction based on the defendant’s contacts with the state and whether exercising jurisdiction would offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
