The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida rejected Royal Caribbean Cruises’ attempt to remove a lawsuit against it to federal court, finding that there is no exception to the forum defendant rule when the lone party being sued is an in-state defendant.

According to U.S. District Judge Federico A. Moreno granting the plaintiff’s motion to remand, the case originated from a contract dispute among family members in Italy. Plaintiff Francesco Lefebvre D’Ovidio alleged that his brother, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, unlawfully sold his capital stock in Silversea Cruise Holding to Royal Caribbean.