Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

In re Ensco Offshore International Co.

The plaintiff in this case filed suit in Dallas County against corporate owners of a drilling rig on which an Australian citizen employed by an Australian company was killed. At issue in this mandamus proceeding is whether the trial court abused its discretion by failing to dismiss the case on forum non conveniens grounds. Here, all the factors weigh in favor of the claim being heard in a forum outside Texas, and the statute required that the trial court grant the motion and decline to exercise jurisdiction. Texas Supreme Court, No. 09-0317, 05-10-2010

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

The plaintiff in this case filed suit in Dallas County against corporate owners of a drilling rig on which an Australian citizen employed by an Australian company was killed. At the time of the incident, the rig was in the territorial waters of Singapore, and the incident was investigated by Singaporean authorities. At issue in this mandamus proceeding is whether the trial court abused its discretion by failing to dismiss the case on forum non conveniens grounds. We hold that it did and conditionally grant relief.

Paul Merema was fatally injured while working aboard the ENSCO 104, a Liberian-flagged drilling rig docked at a shipyard facility in the territorial waters of Singapore. Paul was a citizen of Australia and was employed by Total Marine Services (TMS) of Western Australia. His employment contract with TMS was governed by the law of Western Australia. ENSCO Offshore International Inc. contracted with TMS for TMS to provide personnel for the drilling rig. The contract with TMS specified that the laws of Western Australia applied and all matters between the parties were to be referred to arbitration in Perth, Western Australia. Paul’s death was investigated by Singaporean authorities, including the Ministry of Manpower, the Police Coast Guard, the State Coroner, and the Ministry of Health. Singapore Test Services, located in Singapore, participated in analysis and testing of a valve assembly involved in the incident.

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
GlobeSt. Multifamily Fall 2024
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More
California Legal Awards 2024
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Law.com celebrates the California law firms and legal departments driving the state's dynamic legal landscape.


Learn More
Texas Legal Awards 2024
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Associate Attorney

McDermott Law, LLC, a boutique Plaintiffs-focused firm located in the Denver Tech Center, has an opening for a full-time associate attorney....


Apply Now ›
Associate Attorney

Beitchman & Zekian, P.C. seeks a motivated and ambitious attorney with 2 to 4 years of civil and business litigation experience for its ...


Apply Now ›
Director of Personal Injury

Job Summary: The Director of Operations will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the firm's Personal Injury pract...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs