PENNOYER RULE

Pennoyer rule (p[schwa]-noy-[schwa]r). The principle that a court may not issue a personal judgment against a defendant over which it has no personal jurisdiction. Pennoyer v. Neff, 95 U.S. 714 (1877). [Cases: Judgment 16. C.J.S. Judgments §§ 18, 546.]