Citizenship for diversity purposes

Question 1

In diversity lawsuits, how is diversity established amongst individuals?

Answer 1

For individuals, citizenship is determined by the individual’s state or country of domicile (i.e the place of residence where the individual remains indefinately). An individual can only have one domicile.

Question 2

In diversity cases, how is diversity established for a corporation?

Answer 2

Corporation hold dual citizenship for diversity purposes:
1) The state or country of incorporation; and
2) the state or country of its principal place of business.

Question 3

In diversity cases, how is diversity established for unincorporated associations?

Answer 3

Unincorporated associations and partnerships are considered citizens of every state of which its members are citizens.

Question 4

In diversity cases, how is diversity established in class actions?

Answer 4

For a federal court to obtain subject-matter jurisdiction over a class action, the parties need only to satisfy minimal diversity. Minimal diversity occurs when at least one plaintiff is a resident from a state that is different from at least one defendant.