Ex Parte International Paper Company (in Re: Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. v. Jrd Contracting, Inc.)

Summary

The court granted International Paper's mandamus petition because the circuit court refused to rule on a pending motion to dismiss for improper venue based on an outbound forum-selection clause while allowing merits discovery, summary-judgment deadlines, and trial preparation to proceed. The writ required the circuit court to address the motion's merits but did not direct how the court should resolve it.