Civ Pro Flashcards
In federal court subject matter jurisdiction can be based on
A federal question properly pleaded in the complaint or on diversity of citizenship jurisdiction
What is needed for federal question jurisdiction
For federal question jurisdiction the federal question must be integral to plaintiffs cause of action as revealed by plaintiff properly pleaded complaint anticipatory defense artful pleadings state laws including federal standards are not sufficient
What is needed for diversity jurisdiction
For diversity jurisdiction the plaintiff must have a good faith claim exceeding $75,000 exclusive of interest and cost and the plaintiff must show complete diversity i.e. no plaintiff is a citizen of the same state as any defendant
How/when is citizenship determined for purposes of diversity jurisdiction
Citizenship is determined by where the parties are domiciled at the commencement of the lawsuit.
How is domicile determined for an individual
An individuals domicile is their true fixed and permanent home. It requires physical presence plus an intent to remain for the indefinite future.
How is a corporations domicile determined
Corporation is domiciled where it is incorporated and where it has its principal place of business
What does personal jurisdiction refer to
Personal jurisdiction refers to the courts power to bring a person or entity into its adjudicative process
How is federal court personal jurisdiction determined
Federal court personal jurisdiction is determined under the same standard used in state court
What are the two sources for personal jurisdiction
The two sources for personal jurisdiction are traditional and statutory (long arm statutes must be constitutional)
What are the traditional grants for personal jurisdiction
The traditional grants for personal jurisdiction include physical presence at the time of personal service domicile and express consent
When an applicable long arm statute reaches a particular defendant what must you ask
Is the application of the long arm statute constitutional
What is the test for determining if the application of the long arm statute is constitutional
The defendant must have certain minimum contacts with the forum state such that maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of Fair play and substantial justice
What is needed for minimum contacts?
First the defendant must have purposefully availed her self to the benefits and protections of the forum state. Second it must have been foreseeable that the defendant would be sued in the forum state.
What is needed to satisfy the fair play and substantial justice requirement
If the claim arises out of the defendants contact with the forum state, the court will likely find personal jurisdiction over the defendant. If the claim does not arise out of the defendants contact with the forum state the threshold for a minimum contacts is higher the standard for general personal jurisdiction used to be systemic and continuous contacts in the forum more recently the supreme court of the United States has tightened the standard holding that general personal jurisdiction can only exist if the defendant feels at home in the forum state.
How do you determine if a defendant feels at home in the form state
A corporation feels at home in its state of incorporation and principal place of business. Consider the following three issues when considering whether an individual defendant is at home in the forum State. One: defendant can show that the forum is so gravely inconvenient that she will be at a severe disadvantage in litigation. Two: will the plaintive be able to obtain relief in another forum. Three: does the forum state have an interest in providing a forum for its residents and protecting their health and safety.
Methods of service
Personal service, Substitute service at defendants usual place of abode on a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there, service Upon an agent of the defendant who is authorized to receive service of process, rarely service by meaningful publication, waiver by mail if notice is mailed first class with prepaid postage to the defendant and the defendant returns the waiver within 30 days. In federal court the plaintiff may also use any methods of service permitted under the law of the state where the federal court sits or where service is effected.
For individuals where is venue proper
Venue is proper where all defendants reside or where a substantial portion of the claim arose.
If multiple defendants reside in different districts in the same state then venue is proper in any district where one resides. A defendant resides where the defendant is domiciled.
If there is no district in which the action may otherwise be brought then where there is diversity jurisdiction venue is proper in a judicial district in which any defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction at the time the action is commenced and where there is a federal question jurisdiction venue is proper in a judicial district in which any defendant may be found
Where is venue proper for a corporation
For corporations venue is proper and any district where the corporation is subject to personal jurisdiction
Is there a presumption in favor of the plaintiffs choice of venue
Yes. There is a presumption in favor of the plaintiffs choice Of venue so transfer is the exception.
What are the requirements for transferee court
The transferee court must be a court where the action could have originally been brought i.e. subject matter jurisdiction, personal jurisdiction, and proper venue
What is the doctrine of forum non-conveniens
The doctrine of forum non-conveniens Allows a court to dismiss an action if a far more appropriate and convenient forum exists elsewhere
What must a court do if original venue is improper
The court may grant the dismissal or order venue be transferred if transfer is in the interest of justice
When venue is transferred will the choice of law provision of the transferee or transferor Court apply
When venue is transferred the choice of law provisions of the transferor court will apply
When can a defendant remove a federal court case that was originally filed in state court
Cases that were originally filed in state court can be removed to federal court by the defendant but only if the case could have originally been filed in federal court