Opinion
Case No. CV 12-00206 DDP (PLAx)
01-29-2013
JAMES D. DIBDIN, Plaintiff, v. SOUTH TYNESIDE NHS HEALTHCARE TRUST, a United Kingdom Foundation Trust, ALAN RODGERS, an individual; RICHARD ELLIS, an individual; LORRAINE LAMBERG, an individual; FIELD, FISHER, WATERHOUSE, a United Kingdom LLP; SARAH ELLSON, an individual; ANDREW BAUM, an individual; REBECCA POULET, an individual; RYAN SOLICTORS, a United Kingdom LLP; MICHAEL RYAN, an individual; MARTIN FORDE, an individual; ELAINE MEEHAN, an individual; JOHN MURPHY, an individual; REBECCA TOWNSLEY, et al. Defendants.
ORDER RE: DEFENDANTS' MOTIONS TO
DISMISS FOR LACK OF JURISDICTION
AND IN THE ALTERNATIVE, BASED
UPON FORUM NON CONVENIENS
[Docket Nos. 46, 48, 49]
On June 12, 2012, James Dibdin ("Plaintiff") filed his second amended complaint against South Tyneside NHS Foundation; Alan Rodgers; Richard Ellis; Lorraine Lambert; Field, Fish Waterhouse, LLP; Sarah Ellson, Andrew Baum; Rebecca Poulet; Ryan Solicitors LLP; Michael Ryan; Martin Forde; Elaine Meehan; John Murphy; Rebecca Townsley; and Ceri Floyd ("Defendants"). (See generally SecondAmended Complaint ("SAC").) The complaint contains ten claims, some alleging liability for all Defendants.
Presently before the court is Defendants' motion to dismiss for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction, Forum non Conveniens, and Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction. Since this case involves multiple claims, multiple possible immunities, and multiple defendants with varying connections to California, the court will only address the forum non conveniens issue. As will be discussed infra, this case concerns events and hearings occurring almost entirely in England. Since it is immediately apparent that this case should be litigated in England, the Court GRANTS Defendants' motion to dismiss on grounds of forum non conveniens.
I. Background
Plaintiff is a California resident who is a licensed physician in this state. (SAC ¶ 5.) Defendants include individuals (all of whom reside in England), two solicitor firms (which are headquartered and have their principle place of business in England), and South Tyneside Hospital (which is part of the United Kingdom government's National Health Service (NHS)). (SAC ¶¶, 6-20.) Plaintiff's claims arise from his employment as a consultant pathologist at South Tyneside, the NHS hospital. (SAC ¶¶ 22-29.) Plaintiff alleges that during his employment another consultant pathologist, Dr. John Obafunwa, authored reports under Plaintiff's name, and that these reports had a 70% error rate. (Id. ¶ 28.) During a review of Plaintiff's work, South Tyneside Hospital attributed these reports to Plaintiff, despite allegedly knowing that Dr. Obafunwa was the true author. (Id.) South Tyneside Hospital allegedly concealed its knowledge of the reports' authorship, and Plaintiff did not discover what Dr. Obafunwa had done until 2009. (Id. ¶ 29.) South Tyneside Hospital filed a complaint against Plaintiff with the General Medical Council in the UK. (Id.) Two hearings were held to decide Plaintiff's fitness to practice medicine. (Id.) Plaintiff's license was revoked allegedly as a result of Defendants "directing, controlling, engaging in, ratifying, authorizing, or acquiescing in [] wrongful acts and omissions" related to Plaintiff's employment, during these hearings. (Id. ¶¶ 29, 37-38.) Not only has the revocation damaged Plaintiff's reputation, Defendants have also allegedly attempted to get the Medical Board of California to discipline Plaintiff further, and they have continued to contact potential employers about Plaintiff's suspension in the UK. (Id. ¶ 68, 96.) II. The Court may Dismiss on Grounds of Forum non Conveniens Without Engaging in Other Threshold Issues.
A court has authority to decide a defendant's forum non conveniens plea before deciding any other threshold matter:
[A] district court has discretion to respond at once to a defendant's forum non conveniens plea, and need not take up first any other threshold objection. In particular, a court need not resolve whether it has authority to adjudicate the cause (subject-matter jurisdiction) or personal jurisdiction over the defendant if it determines that, in any event, a foreign tribunal is plainly the more suitable arbiter of the merits of the case.Sinochem Int'l Co. v. Malaysia Int'l Shipping Corp., 549 U.S. 422, 425 (2007). As the Ninth Circuit has recognized,"the Supreme Court offered the lower courts a practical mechanism for resolving a case that would ultimately be dismissed." Provincial Gov't of Marinduque v. Placer Dome, Inc., 582 F.3d 1083, 1088 (9th Cir. 2009). Dismissal without consideration of personal jurisdiction or subject matter jurisdiction is especially proper when those issues are difficult to determine, and when the case for dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds is clear. Sinochem, 549 U.S. at 436.
As analyzed infra, it is clear to this court that this case should be dismissed on forum non conveniens. Thus, concerns for "judicial economy" weigh heavily in favor of immediate dismissal. See id. at432. Additionally, subject matter and personal jurisdiction are difficult to decide in this case. The court need not go into detail on these issues, because doing so would betray the concern for judicial resources that underlie Sinochem. 549 U.S. at 432. Some explanation, though is warranted.
Regarding personal jurisdiction, there are fifteen Defendants. Some are individual defendants, who are employed by different organizations, and some are organizations (e.g. a government hospital and a law firm). (SAC ¶¶, 6-20.) First, the Defendants have varying connections to California. Some have never been to the state. (See e.g., Rodgers Decl. ¶ 3.) One of the Defendants is a law firm with an office in this state. (Reply Memorandum for Defendants Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, Sarah Ellson, Andrew Baum, Ryan Solicitors, Michael Ryan, Elaine Meehan, Ceri Floyd, and Rebecca Townsley at 9:13-18.) Defendants South Tyneside Hospital and Alan Rodgers are alleged to have recruited Plaintiff from California, but no analogous allegation is made against the Defendants unaffiliated with the hospital. (SAC ¶ 7). Second, it is a close call whether Plaintiff has made only conclusory or insufficiently specific allegations about many Defendants' contacts with California. Swartz v. KPMG LLP, 476 F.3d 756, 766 (9th Cir. 2007) (holding that "mere bare bones assertions of minimum contacts with the forum or legal conclusions unsupported by specific factual allegations will not satisfy a plaintiff's pleading burden" (internal quotations omitted)). Plaintiff alleges that Defendants have tried to contact the Medical Board of California to seek further disciplinary action against him. (SAC ¶ 96). Plaintiff's complaint, though, is unclear whether the Defendants actually did contact the Board, and what actions constitute Defendants' attempted contact. Likewise, Plaintiff claims that Defendants have contacted his potential employers to impugn his reputation. (See id.) It is unclear which employers Plaintiff references, and whether they are located in California. For these reasons, the issue of personal jurisdiction is nebulous.
Deciding subject matter jurisdiction would likewise be an extensive undertaking. Some Defendants are claiming full liability protection under the sovereign immunities act. Some are claiming protection under the litigation privilege. Likewise, defendants Rebecca Poulet and Martin Forde assert that each of Plaintiff's eight claims against them are factually insufficient. In light of the different privileges that might be available to different Defendants, and the number of claims at issue here, engaging in the "arduous inquiry" of subject matter jurisdiction in this case would be an inappropriate use of this court's resources. Sinochem, 549 U.S. at 436.
III. Analysis
The doctrine of forum non conveniens permits discretionary dismissals on a case by case basis. Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno, 454 U.S. 235, 249 (1981). The party moving for forum non conveniens dismissal must demonstrate two things: (1) the existence of an adequate alternative forum; and (2) that the balance of relevant private and public interest factors favors dismissal. Dole Food Co. v. Watts, 303 F.3d 1104, 1117 (9th Cir. 2002).
A. Adequate Alternative Forum
A foreign forum is generally adequate if the defendant is amenable to process and that forum offers a remedy for the alleged wrongdoing. Piper Aircraft Co., 454 U.S. at 254 n. 22. Although a defendant bears the burden of demonstrating an adequate forum, the test is "easy to pass." Tuazon v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 433 F.3d 1163, 1178 (9th Cir. 2006). A foreign forum may still be adequate even if it does not provide the same remedies or recognize the exact same causes of action as an American court. See, e.g., Lockman Foundation v. Evangelical Alliance Mission, 930 F.2d 764, 768 (9th Cir. 1991) (finding forum adequate when it provided sufficient tort and contract claims, even though Plaintiff's RICO claims were unavailable). Procedural differences between a U.S. and a foreign court, even as to substantive rights, are not sufficient grounds to deem the foreign forum inadequate. Id. at 768.
When the plaintiff is a United States citizen or resident, the plaintiff's choice of forum should be accorded significant deference. Piper Aircraft, 454 U.S. at 257. However, an American plaintiff's presence "is not in and of itself sufficient to bar a district court from dismissing a case on the ground of forum non conveniens." Cheng v. Boeing Co., 708 F.2d 1406, 1411 (9th Cir. 1983). A litigant who then argues against the forum's adequacy "must make a powerful showing." Tuazon, 433 F.3d 1163, 1179 (9th Cir. 2006). There is no reason to think England would be unsuitable. Since Defendants reside there, "there is no evidence to suggest that [they] . . . would not be subject to process." See Tel. Sys. Int'l, Inc. v. Network Telecom PLC, 303 F. Supp. 2d 377, 381 (S.D.N.Y. 2003). This court is not aware of any Ninth Circuit case that has found England inadequate, but there are a number finding England adequate. See, e.g., Am. Home Assurance Co. v. TGL Container Lines, Ltd., 347 F. Supp. 2d 749, 766 (N.D. Cal. 2004); Neuralstem, Inc. v. ReNeuron, Ltd., 365 F. App'x 770, 771 (9th Cir. 2010) (unpublished). Plaintiff does not dispute that Defendants would be subject to service in England, nor does he dispute that English courts would offer adequate remedies. In fact a number of American courts have found that English law permits recovery on many of the claims Plaintiff asserts, or on claims analogous to Plaintiff's. See, e.g., Itoba Ltd. v. LEP Grp. PLC, 930 F. Supp. 36, 44 (D. Conn. 1996) (deceit); Denmark v. Tzimas, 871 F. Supp. 261, 270 (E.D. La. 1994)(tortious interference with business relationships and defamation); Pik v. Chan, 08 CIV. 10659 LTSGEL, 2010 WL 2653657 (S.D.N.Y. July 2, 2010) (intentional infliction of emotional distress); Lexington Ins. Co. v. Forrest, 263 F. Supp. 2d 986, 999 (E.D. Pa. 2003) (fraudulent inducement).
Plaintiff only expressed concern that an English court might be biased in favor of the Defendants, since one is a government hospital. Plaintiff should take heart, however, that American courts have the highest respect for the fair-mindedness of their English counterparts. See, e.g., Wiwa v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., 226 F.3d 88, 101 (2d Cir. 2000) ("We regard the British courts as exemplary in their fairness and commitment to the rule of law.").
B. Private Factors
The relevant private interest factors are: (1) the residence of the parties and the witnesses; (2) the forum's convenience to the litigants; (3) access to physical evidence and other sources of proof; (4) whether unwilling witnesses can be compelled to testify; (5) the cost of bringing witnesses to trial; (6) the enforceability of the judgment and; (7) all other practical problems that make trial of a case easy, expeditious and expensive. Lueck v. Sunstrand Corp., 236 F.3d 1137, 1145 (9th Cir. 2001). "[A] court's focus should not rest on the number of witnesses or quantity of evidence in each locale. Rather, a court should evaluate 'the materiality and importance of the anticipated evidence and witnesses' testimony and then determine their accessibility and convenience to the forum.'" Id. at 1146 (citations omitted). For the reasons analyzed infra, the private factors weigh heavily in favor of dismissal.
1. Residence of the Parties and Witnesses
Plaintiff is a resident of California. (SAC ¶ 5.) All twelve individual Defendants are residents of England. (Id. ¶¶ 6-20.) Regarding the remaining Defendants, the two solicitor firms and the hospital, all are headquartered and have their principle place of business in England. (Id.) As for witnesses, Plaintiff's brief claims that there are key expert witnesses who must testify. (Plaintiff's Opp'n to Defendants' Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, et al.'s Motion to Dismiss ("Opp'n")at 16:22-23.) However, Plaintiff does not identify who these experts are, where they live, or (crucially) why their testimony is important. In contrast, the testimony of every Defendant is likely to be relevant. Plaintiff accuses all Defendants of conspiring to fraudulently present false evidence against Plaintiff in the hearings that led to the revocation of his medical license. (Id. ¶ 37.) All of them have also allegedly continued to propagate these falsehoods in an attempt to retaliate against Plaintiff. (Id. ¶ 38.) According to Plaintiff, then, all Defendants have actively harmed him in a myriad of ongoing, deceptive ways. The testimony of each of them will be crucial to resolving Plaintiff's claims. Accordingly, this factor weighs heavily in favor of dismissal.
2. The Forum's Convenience to the Litigants
Plaintiff does not claim that litigating in England would be inconvenient. He simply says that, "[i]t is easy for [him] to litigate his claims [in California]." (Opp'n at 16:18-19.) In fact, less than two months ago, Plaintiff executed a declaration for this case in the United Kingdom. (Dibdin Decl.) In contrast, every Defendant would have to travel to California for this case. The individual Defendants are all employed in England. (SAC ¶¶ 6-20.) Many of them have essentially no connection to this state. (See generally Rodgers Decl.; Ellis Decl.; Lambert Decl.; Robson Decl.) Accordingly, this factor also weighs in Defendants' favor.
3. Access to Physical Evidence and Other Sources of Proof
There is no dispute that the events giving rise to this case almost exclusively occurred in England. Plaintiff was employed in England; the reports falsely written in his name occurred in England; the hearings where fraudulent evidence was allegedly presented against him took place in England. (See generally SAC.) Access to key documents may become an issue if the case were to continue in California, because documents relating to Plaintiff's General Medical Council (GMC) fitness hearing are in the U.K., and in the possession of that organization-a non-party to this suit. (See Townsley Decl. ¶ 8; Floyd Decl. ¶ 8.) This court does not have the authority to order production of these documents. See Lueck, 236 F.3d at 1146-47. This factor weighs strongly in favor of dismissal.
4. Whether Unwilling Witnesses Could Be Compelled to
Testify
Neither party has identified any unwilling witnesses, so this factor is of minimal importance. However, the court notes that the GMC is not a party to this case. The GMC presided over Plaintiff's fitness hearing, and it retains documents related to that hearing. It is possible that a non-party member of the GMC may need to testify in this case (perhaps to authenticate documents related to Plaintiff's fitness hearing). However, the court would not have the power to make such individuals testify. See Lueck, 236 F.3d at 1146-47. This factor is of minimum importance to the court, but it does weigh in favor of dismissal.
5. The Cost of Bringing Witnesses to Trial
As discussed supra, if Plaintiff's case were to continue in California, all Defendants would likely need to travel to the state to testify. Plaintiff, however, is just one person, who, beyond mere speculation that some unidentified expert will need to testify, has identified no witnesses that would need to travel to England. The cost of bringing Defendants to the United States will be greater than transporting Plaintiff to England, so this factor weighs in favor of dismissal. Harp v. Airblue Ltd., 10-01780 AG (RZx), 2012 WL 3038599, at *7 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 28, 2012).
6. Enforceability of the Judgment
Neither party claims that an American court's or and English court's judgment would be unenforceable. Therefore, this factor is neutral. Id.
7. All other Practical Problems that Make Trial of a
Case Easy, Expeditious and Expensive
The parties have identified no additional practical problems. Therefore, this factor is neutral.
8. Private Factors Conclusion
Most of the private factors weigh heavily in favor of dismissal. None of them weigh in Plaintiff's favor. Generally, the private factors will weigh in favor of a foreign forum when essentially all the events giving rise to a suit occur there. See, e.g., Loya v. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., 583 F.3d 656, 664-65 (9th Cir. 2009); Leetsch v. Freedman, 260 F.3d 1100, 1104-05 (9th Cir. 2001). For reasons analyzed supra, the events giving rise to this suit occurred in England, and this court accordingly finds that the private factors strongly favor dismissal.
C. Public Factors
The relevant public factors include (1) local interest of lawsuit; (2) the court's familiarity with governing law; (3) burden on local courts and juries; (4) congestion in the court and; (5) the costs of resolving a dispute unrelated to this forum. Lueck, 236 F.3d at 1147.
1. Local Interests
"There is a local interest in having localized controversies decided at home." Gulf Oil Corp. v. Gilbert, 330 U.S. 501, 509 (1947). In this case, the interests of England greatly outweigh those of a court sitting in California. The word "California" only appears three time in Plaintiff's 148 paragraph complaint. (SAC ¶¶ 5, 89,86.) Plaintiff's claims, though, are too vague to be very helpful to him. Beyond Plaintiff's residency, California seems to be relevant because of vague allegations that Defendants tried to contact the state's Medical Board to seek disciplinary action against him, but Plaintiff does not allege that Defendants were successful in their attempt to make contact. (Id. ¶ 96.) Additionally, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants continue to report Plaintiff's suspension to potential employers, but Plaintiff does not reveal the number or identify of these employers, nor does he explicitly allege that they are located in California.
California's greatest interest lies in whether Defendants actually manufactured false allegations that not only led to the suspension of a California resident's license to practice in England but also put a black mark on his reputation. However, England is the better place to adjudicate this issue. The hearing occurred there, as did the events that gave rise to them. The court therefore finds that California has a weak interest in this case.
By contrast, England has a very strong interest in this case for two reasons. First, the events giving rise to Plaintiff's claims occurred there. See Gilbert, 330 U.S. at 509. Second, Plaintiff's claims challenge the integrity of two U.K. governmental institutions, the NHS and GMC, that are integral to that country's healthcare system. If corruption within these organizations is so rife that its hospital administrators, doctors, and lawyers could fabricate a sham hearing, then England has a tremendous interest in ensuring that justice is done and this corruption rooted out.
2. The Court's Familiarity with the Governing Law
Since England's interests are greater than California's, English law is likely govern many of Plaintiff's claims. See Harp, 2012 WL 3038599, at *8 (C.D. Cal. Mar. 28, 2012) (citing Dole Food Co., Inc. v. Watts, 303 F.3d 1104, 1119 (9th Cir. 2002) (holding that in resolving a conflict of law, the law of the sovereign with the greater interest in having its law applied controls.) The likelihood of applying English law weighs in favor of dismissal. Lueck, 236 F.3d at 1144 (holding that the doctrine of forum non conveniens was designed in part to help courts avoid conducting complex exercises in comparative law) (internal quotations and citations omitted); Magnin v. Teledyne Cont'l Motors, 91 F.3d 1424, 1430 (11th Cir. 1996) ("Far better that the case be tried in France by one or more jurists as familiar with French law as we are unfamiliar with it.").
3. Burden on Local Courts and Juries, Costs in Resolving
the Dispute, and Congestion in the Courts
"The burden on local courts and juries unconnected to the case and the costs of resolving a dispute unrelated to the forum also favor dismissal." Vivendi SA v. T-Mobile USA Inc., 586 F.3d 689, 696 (9th Cir. 2009). This case turns on events and hearings that occurred in England. That forum should bear the burden and costs of Plaintiff's suit. The Central District of California has a very demanding docket, with many thousands of cases brought each year. The District also faces a number of unfilled judicial vacancies. England's resources are more appropriate for resolving this case.
4. Public Factors Conclusion
As discussed supra, Every public factor weighs heavily in favor of dismissal.
IV Conclusion
England is an adequate forum. Both the public and private factors weigh heavily in favor of litigating Plaintiff's claims there. The court, therefore, GRANTS Defendants' Motion to Dismiss this case on the grounds of forum non conveniens. IT IS SO ORDERED.
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DEAN D. PREGERSON
United States District Judge