Veljkovic v. Carlson Hotels, Inc.

Dist. Ct. did not err in dismissing on forum non conveniens grounds plaintiffs’ lawsuit alleging trespass, conversion and unjust enrichment arising out of defendants’ possession of hotel located in Belgrade, Serbia, where plaintiffs alleged that hotel actually belonged to them under circumstances where Yugoslavian govt. had wrongfully seized hotel from their relatives in 1945. Defendants informed Dist. Ct. that they would submit to jurisdiction of Serbian Restitution Agency (SRA), which was empowered under Serbian law to determine plaintiffs’ rights to hotel. As such, instant dismissal was proper, where Serbian law was likely to play large role in adjudication of plaintiff’s case. Moreover, no aspect of plaintiff’s dispute had any relation to Illinois, and plaintiffs failed to show how SRA was inadequate forum to resolve their claims.