Illinois Third District Appellate Reviews Maryland Jurisdiction

A consulting firm got a default judgment in Maryland against an Illinois law firm. The consulting firm then petitioned to register the judgment in Illinois. The law firm moved to dismiss based on lack of jurisdiction of the Maryland court. The Illinois trial court denied the motion and ruled that the Maryland court did have jurisdiction.

On appeal, the consulting firm argued that the law firm waived the jurisdiction argument because it did not raise it in the Maryland court. The Illinois Third District Court of Appeals ruled there was no waiver. Both the Illinois trial and appellate courts “may inquire into whether a sister state had subject matter and personal jurisdiction in the matter.”

Get the whole opinion in Highway Traffic Safety Associates v. Gomien and Harrop, No 3-05-0786 (11/27/06) here.

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