A decision issued yesterday by the Delaware Court of Chancery, Boilermakers Local 154 Retirement Fund v. Chevron Corp., No. 7220-CS (Del. Ch. June 25, 2013), may make it easier for Delaware corporations to minimize the risk of facing duplicative derivative lawsuits in multiple jurisdictions. As we wrote previously, there has been a significant rise in the filing of duplicative derivative actions brought in multiple courts against the same defendants for the same alleged wrongdoing.

To combat the inefficiencies of facing redundant suits in multiple jurisdictions, many Delaware corporations have adopted bylaws selecting a single, exclusive forum for bringing suits related to the internal affairs of the corporation. Usually, these provisions select the Delaware Court of Chancery (or the federal courts in Delaware) as the exclusive forum.

In yesterday's decision, Chancellor Strine rejected a challenge to forum selection provisions adopted in the bylaws of Chevron and FedEx. That decision is subject to review by the Delaware Supreme Court in the likely event that plaintiffs appeal.

Chancellor Strine held that Delaware statutes provide broad authority to adopt bylaws "relating to the business of the corporation, the conduct of its affairs, and . . . the rights or powers of its stockholders." 8 Del. C. § 109(b). Bylaws channeling lawsuits regarding the internal affairs of a Delaware corporation into Delaware courts fall within this broad authority. Thus, forum selection provisions adopted in bylaws are presumptively valid and enforceable.

Chancellor Strine also rejected plaintiffs' argument that these bylaw provisions could not be enforced because shareholders did not vote to approve the bylaws. Under Delaware law, "bylaws constitute a binding part of the contract between a Delaware corporation and its stockholders." Delaware law allows the board of directors to adopt bylaws without a shareholder vote and most corporations include this power in their certificates of incorporation. An agreement to be bound by validly enacted bylaws is thus "an essential part of the contract agreed to when an investor buys stock in a Delaware corporation."

Chancellor Strine noted that there are several ways stockholders would be protected against unreasonable applications of forum selection provisions. For example, stockholders can repeal a bylaw provision by majority vote. Courts will also review the reasonableness of applying forum selection provisions in specific cases. But, "in most internal affairs cases the bylaws will not operate in an unreasonable manner."

The Chevron decision will give corporations that have already adopted forum selection bylaws comfort that such provisions will be enforced. It also provides a good opportunity for corporations to take another look at the potential benefits of adopting a forum selection bylaw.

To view the Court's decision, click here.

Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

© Morrison & Foerster LLP. All rights reserved