By Stephen Nakrosis


Amazon.com on Friday said the company amended its bylaws to ensure the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain state corporate law or shareholder derivative claims.

At the same time, Amazon said the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum to resolve claims under the Securities Act of 1933.

The company can select an alternative forum if it chooses, Amazon said.

The company's action comes as the issue of lawsuit venue shopping has gained more attention. Last month, the Judicial Conference of the United States moved to strengthen the policy governing random case assignment, and limited the ability of litigants to chose judges in cases where they file a suit.

Judge Robert Conrad, Jr., the conference's secretary, said the random case-assignment plan "deters judge-shopping and the assignment of cases based on the perceived merits or abilities of a particular judge." He added "It promotes the impartiality of proceedings and bolsters public confidence in the federal Judiciary."


Write to Stephen Nakrosis at stephen.nakrosis@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

05-03-24 1754ET