Any legal disputes not covered by arbitration must be filed in Washington State courts, and Washington law applies to your agreement with Starbucks regardless of where you live.
This analysis describes what Starbucks's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
If you live outside Washington State, this clause requires you to litigate in a distant jurisdiction, which can be a practical barrier to pursuing claims and means your home state's consumer protections may not apply.
Interpretive note: Courts in multiple states have declined to enforce forum selection clauses in consumer contracts where the selected forum has no meaningful connection to the consumer; application will vary by jurisdiction.
If you need to pursue a claim outside of arbitration, you would need to do so in King County, Washington courts, which may be impractical for consumers who live elsewhere and could limit the consumer protection laws that apply to your claim.
How other platforms handle this
This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles. Each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ontario, Canada for t...
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any disputes not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco County, California.
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any disputes arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal court...
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"These Terms will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without giving effect to any principles of conflicts of law. You agree that any action at law or in equity arising out of or relating to these Terms that is not subject to arbitration shall be filed only in the state or federal courts located in King County, Washington.— Excerpt from Starbucks's Starbucks Terms of Use
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Choice of law and forum selection clauses in consumer contracts engage state consumer protection statutes and conflict of laws principles; courts in various states have declined to enforce forum selection clauses that require consumers to litigate far from their home jurisdiction, particularly where the consumer has no connection to the selected forum. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The enforceability of the Washington forum selection clause against non-Washington residents is uncertain and fact-dependent; California, New York, and other states with strong consumer protection frameworks may apply their own law notwithstanding this clause. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have strong public policy arguments that their consumer protection laws apply to their residents; legal teams should assess whether the Washington choice of law provision is enforceable against residents of those states. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: This provision is standard for companies headquartered in Washington State and is broadly consistent with industry practice for consumer digital agreements. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Monitor whether any state has enacted legislation or issued guidance that would override a Washington forum selection or choice of law clause in consumer contracts; periodic review of enforceability in key consumer states such as California is advisable.
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If you live outside Washington State, this clause requires you to litigate in a distant jurisdiction, which can be a practical barrier to pursuing claims and means your home state's consumer protections may not apply.
If you need to pursue a claim outside of arbitration, you would need to do so in King County, Washington courts, which may be impractical for consumers who live elsewhere and could limit the consumer protection laws that apply to your claim.
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