Even when a court has jurisdiction, the place of trial may still be wrong. Venue is the geographic location within a court system where a case is properly heard and tried.

Statutes assign venue based on factors such as where the parties reside, where the events occurred, or where property is situated. Parties may transfer venue for convenience of witnesses and fairness, or to cure improper venue. Forum-selection clauses in contracts often control commercial disputes.

Improper venue does not always destroy jurisdiction, but it can require transfer or dismissal without prejudice. Strategic venue choices affect jury pools, logistics, and sometimes substantive outcomes. Early motions testing venue are common in multi-district disputes.

• Proper geographic location for a case
• Set by statute and sometimes by contract
• Subject to transfer for convenience or fairness
• Distinct from subject-matter jurisdiction