What Is Venue?
Venue is the proper geographic location — the particular county or court — where a lawsuit should be filed and heard. While "jurisdiction" is about a court's power to decide a case, venue is about where, among courts that have jurisdiction, the case belongs. Choosing the right venue is a basic requirement of filing suit correctly.
How Venue Is Determined in Florida
Florida's venue rules appear in Chapter 47, Florida Statutes. In general, a case may be filed where the defendant resides, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in dispute is located. For real estate disputes, venue is typically the county where the property sits; for contract disputes, it is often where the contract was to be performed or breached.
Challenging or Changing Venue
- A defendant can move to transfer venue if the plaintiff filed in the wrong county
- Venue may also be changed for convenience of the parties and witnesses or to ensure a fair trial
- Many contracts include a venue (forum-selection) clause specifying where disputes must be brought
Related Terms
- Jurisdiction — A court's power, distinct from where a case belongs
- Plaintiff — Who chooses the initial venue
- Complaint — The filing that selects a venue
Barnes Walker Litigation
Barnes Walker's litigation attorneys handle venue selection, transfer motions, and forum-selection clauses in Florida cases. Request a legal inquiry for assistance.
Florida Law Reference
Fla. Stat. Ch. 47
Florida’s venue statutes set where a civil action may be brought — generally where the defendant resides, where the cause of action accrued, or where the property in litigation is located.
Reviewed by the attorneys at Barnes Walker, Goethe, Shea & Robinson, PLLC