A well-drafted forum selection clause must include precise, mandatory language specifying an exclusive venue to eliminate ambiguity, explicitly naming a defined geographic court (e.g., "the state courts of New York County, New York" or "the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York") that has a clear connection to the contract—such as the place of performance or a party’s headquarters—while also stating that the parties voluntarily waive any objections to personal jurisdiction or venue in that forum and confirming the clause governs all subsequent claims, including tort and statutory disputes related to the agreement, to preemptively bar jurisdictional challenges and ensure enforceability under frameworks like The Bremen v. Zapata.
