No Showing Iran Suitable Alternative Forum.

In attempting to reclaim real property in Iran abandoned after the overthrow of the Shah in 1978, the parents of plaintiffs executed powers of attorney for a friend and attorney in Iran to pursue legal proceedings in that country. Years later, plaintiffs realized two of the attorneys in fact in Iran had quitclaimed some of the properties to themselves for little or no consideration. Plaintiffs brought suit in California against those attorneys in fact in Iran. Pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 410.30 (a), which provides that a court shall stay or dismiss an action when it finds that the interest of substantial justice is served by having the action heard in a forum outside the state, the trial court stayed the California action. Concluding there is “insufficient evidence to show Iran is a suitable alternative forum,” The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s order. (Aghaian v. Minassian (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 8; February 17, 2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 427, [183 Cal.Rptr.3d 822].)