Ex Parte Ford Motor Company; Long-Lewis, Inc.; Mazda Motor Corporation; and Trw Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. (in Re…

Summary

The court held that the Bessemer Act establishes where venue is initially proper but does not prevent a properly filed action arising in the Bessemer Division from being transferred under the forum non conveniens statute. Because Tuscaloosa County was also a proper venue and the trial court had not decided whether transfer would serve the interest of justice, the court ordered the trial court to vacate its denial and reconsider the motion. Justice Murdock, dissenting, would have found no basis for further consideration under the interest-of-justice prong.