Tranter, M. v. Z&D Tour, Apl. of: FedEx

Summary

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the Superior Court and reinstated the transfer of four consolidated actions from Philadelphia County to Westmoreland County under the doctrine of forum non conveniens. The Court held that the Superior Court improperly imposed a heightened “key witness” requirement requiring defendants to show that identified witnesses were necessary or critical to their defenses. The defendants’ identification of numerous local witnesses, general descriptions of their anticipated testimony, and evidence of travel-related hardship supplied a proper basis for transfer, and the trial court did not abuse its discretion.