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No. 19-368October Term 2019Decided Mar 25, 2021Updated May 23, 2026

Docket 19-368October Term 2019 (2019–2020)

Ford Motor v. Montana Eighth Judicial Dist.

Ford Motor Co. v. Montana Eighth Judicial Dist.

The Court considered whether Montana and Minnesota courts could hear product-liability suits against Ford when the crashes happened in those states and Ford extensively marketed, sold, and serviced the same vehicle models there, even though the particular cars involved were first sold elsewhere.

Case status

Decided 8-0 · March 25, 2021 · Opinion by Justice Kagan

Read the opinion (PDF)
Current stage
Decided
Latest event
Decision released Mar 25, 2021
Case Accepted
Arguments
Decision ReleasedMar 25, 2021
What it's about

The Court considered whether Montana and Minnesota courts could hear product-liability suits against Ford when the crashes happened in those states and Ford extensively marketed, sold, and serviced the same vehicle models there, even though the particular cars involved were first sold elsewhere. The Court held that those state courts could exercise specific personal jurisdiction over Ford.

Question presented

Whether the “arise out of or relate to” requirement is met when none of the defendant's forum contacts caused the plaintiff's claims, such that the plaintiff's claims would be the same even if the defendant had no forum contacts.

Case path

Supreme Court of Montana / Decision released Mar 25, 2021

Area

Decided Supreme Court case

Timing

Decided March 25, 2021

The Court released its decision on March 25, 2021 without hearing oral argument.

Activity

Docket activity4
  • Brief added: Questions Presented

    May 23, 2026 | Court records

  • Opinion added: opinion

    Mar 25, 2021 | Court records

  • Brief added: Petition

    Sep 18, 2019 | Court records

  • Court Order added: Lower Court Orders/Opinions

    Jul 24, 2019 | Court records