Competitors of all kinds know home court advantage helps them win. Home court advantage refers to the psychological, procedural and logistical edge gained by competing in a familiar setting, where one has better knowledge of the rules and conditions, and where spectators and possibly referees, judges and juries tend to be more supportive. Sports teams, business negotiators, entertainers and litigators all want the home court advantage.

In litigation, jockeying over home court occurs in a battle over “venue.” Extensive rules and decisional law have developed addressing how the question of venue will be decided.

Originally Published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal - August 22, 2014.