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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Pennoyer rule
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A quick definition of Pennoyer rule:
The Pennoyer rule is a law that says courts can't make someone pay money or do something if they don't have the power to do so. This rule is named after a famous court case called Pennoyer v. Neff. In that case, the court said that a person can only be forced to do something if they live in the same place as the court or if they have done something wrong in that place. This rule helps make sure that courts only make decisions that are fair and legal.
A more thorough explanation:
The Pennoyer rule is a legal principle that prohibits courts from issuing personal judgments against defendants who are not under their personal jurisdiction. This rule was established in the landmark case of Pennoyer v. Neff, 95 U.S. 714 (1878).
For example, if a person from California is sued in a court in New York, but they have never been to New York and have no connections to the state, the court cannot issue a personal judgment against them. This is because the court does not have personal jurisdiction over the defendant.
The Pennoyer rule ensures that courts only have power over individuals or entities that are within their jurisdiction. This helps to protect the rights of defendants and prevent courts from overstepping their authority.