Civ Pro Flashcards
What are the 3 types of Subject Matter Jurisdiction?
- ) Federal Question
- ) Diversity Jurisdiction
- ) Supplemental Jurisdiction
What is required for Federal Question Jurisdiction?
Exists when the claim arises under
(a) federal law,
(b) the U.S. Constitution, OR
(c) U.S. treaty.
The Federal issue must be presented in the Plaintiff’s “well-plead complaint”
A federal defense is not sufficient
What is required for Diversity Jurisdiction?
1.) Diversity - must be complete diversity between the parties
Individuals: domiciled where they are present with intent to remain indefinitely
Corporations: Domiciled where incorporated AND where the principal place of business is located.
2.) Amount in Controversy - Must exceed $75K
Based on damages alleged in good faith in the Complaint
Injunctive Relief: can have monetary value assigned
May aggregate claims against one D (or against multiple Ds if they are jointly and severally liable).
What is Supplemental Jurisdiction?
Court may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over additional claims so long as the claims arise out of a common nucleus of operative fact as the original claim
When do courts have the authority to reject supplemental jurisdiction
- ) The state claims are complex or predominate the lawsuit
- ) The federal claim is dismissed; or
- ) There are any other compelling reasons to decline jdx.
What is Removal?
Plaintiff files in state court and a defendant seeks to remove to federal court. Can remove if:
- Federal Court has SMJ
- All defendants agree.
- No defendant is a resident of the forum state.
Motion for removal must be filed within 30 days of receiving the complaint.
Abstention Doctrines
Federal courts MAY abstain from hearing a case when it would intrude upon the powers of another court. Additionally, a court may stay a case arising from ambiguous state law to await the outcome of a pending state court case.
What are the traditional basis for Personal Jurisdiction?
- ) Service while voluntarily present in state
- ) Domicile
- ) Consent/waiver
What do most state statutes allow concerning PJ? (on the exam)
to the extent allowed by the constitution. (Long arm statutes)
What are the 2 requirements for Due Process under a long-arm statute?
- ) minimum contacts
- ) does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice
What is “minimum contacts?
a. ) purposeful availment - reasonably foreseeable to be sued in the state
b. ) relatedness - defendant’s conduct in relation to the action
What is specific jurisdiction? (Under the umbrella of long arm statute due process)
The Action arises out of defendant’s conduct
What is general jurisdiction?
Contacts so substantial and of such nature that D is essentially at home;
Where is a corporation at home?
Where incorporated and where its principal place of business is located
Venue:
Which federal district can the original action be filed in?
- ) Any district in which the defendant resides if all defendants reside in the state where the district is located
- ) Where a substantial part of the events or omissions occurred, or where the property is situated, or
- ) If neither of the above apply, venue is proper in a judicial district where any defendant is subject to PJ.
Transfer of Venue:
If venue was improper when the case was filed, the court MUST either:
a) Dismiss the case; OR
b) Transfer the case to a proper court if the interests of justice require it.
Transfer of Venue:
If venue was proper when the case was filed, the court MAY transfer it if:
1) Needed for the convenience of the witnesses or in the interests of justice; AND
2) The case could have initially been brought in the receiving court (court has PJ and SMJ).
What does the Eerie doctrine stand for?
In a diversity case:
Federal courts will apply federal procedural law, BUT must apply the substantive law of the forum state in which it sits.
Procedural Laws for Erie:
civil procedure rules
statute of limitations (except in limited circumstances)
burden of proof
rebuttable presumptions.
What makes a state law Substantive?
- ) A state law that alters the calculation of damages is substantive
- ) statute of limitations that condition a substantive right or have a borrowing statute.
- ) A state law that creates evidentiary privileges is substantive.
- ) Choice of law rules
- ) Irrebuttable presumptions,
When Substantive Federal Law Applies
Federal law will apply for matters governed by the U.S. Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and valid federal law that preempts state law under the Supremacy Clause.
What is a TRO?
Temporary Restraining Order - a party seeks to maintain the status quo prior to a hearing for a preliminary injuction
What must be shown to obtain a TRO?
- ) Immediate and irreparable injury would occur absent the TRO.
- ) certify in writing any efforts made to give notice to the adverse party and why notice should not be required.*
*A Court may grant a TRO without the opposing party present
What must a plaintiff show to get a Preliminary Injunction?
- ) Likely to succeed on the merits
- ) Likely to suffer irreparable harm
- ) Harm to plaintiff outweighs harm to defendant (balance the harm); and
- ) Injunction is in the best interests of the public.
Service of Process & Notice Timing:
Summons & Complaint MUST be served on D within 90-days after filed with the court.
− Otherwise, the court must:
(a) dismiss the action without prejudice against that D; OR
(b) order that service be made within a specified period of time.
Process Server
Service may be made by any person who is: (1) at least 18 years old, AND (2) not a party to the action.
How do you serve an individual, corporation, and foreign defendant??
Individual: may be served: (a) personally; (b) to someone of suitable age and discretion residing at the individual’s current dwelling; (c) via an agent (by appointment or by law); OR (d) in accordance with state law of the forum state or where service is made.
Corporation: may be served: (a) in accordance with state law of the forum state or where service is made; OR (b) to an officer or managing/general/authorized agent.
Foreign Defendant: may be served via any manner NOT prohibited by international agreement.
When can a lack of SMJ motion be raised?
Can be raised any time, even on appeal
When may a failure to state a claim or failure to join a necessary party under Rule 19 be raised?
May be raised in any pleading, in any motion for judgment on the pleadings, or at trial.
Waived Defenses :
If the following defenses are NOT included in the D’s first response (answer/ pre-answer) they are deemed waived:
(1) lack of PJ;
(2) improper venue;
(3) insufficient process; and
(4) insufficient service of process.
BUT, courts have allowed amending Motions to Dismiss when: (1) promptly made; AND (2) it’s prior to a hearing on the original motion.
Types of Pleadings:
Complaint: Plaintiff’s assertion of cause of action, court’s jurisdiction & demand for relief
Answer: Response to complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, or third-party complaint that asserts admissions, denials, affirmative defenses & other claims
Third-party complaint: Party’s assertion that nonparty is liable for damages party may owe in original suit based on legal theory (eg, indemnity, contribution)
Reply: Response to answer (only required if court ordered)
Amendments to Pleadings
Adding Affirmative Defenses
A party must set forth ALL affirmative defenses to the claim alleged.
− If a party fails to do so, the pleading MUST be amended.
Amendment to Pleading:
As of Right
Allowed to amend once as a right within 21-days after service of:
a) the original pleading; OR
b) a responsive pleading or pre-answer motion to the original pleading.
Amendment to Pleading:
By Permission
in all other cases, an amendment is allowed:
a) with the opposing party’s written consent; OR
b) with leave of the court upon motion (should be freely granted when justice so requires).
Relation Back Doctrine:
When a Complaint is amended to add a
New Claim
relates back to the date of the original filing so long as it arises out of the same transaction or occurrence as the original pleading allegations.