Civ Pro Flashcards
CA subject Matter jurisdiction is split in 3 ways. What are the 3 ways
Limited, Unlimited, Small Business claim
Limited Civil cases
Amount in Controversy (AIC) of $25K or less. Restrictions on equitable, declaratory relief.
Unlimited Civil Cases
AIC over 25k; no other limits
Small Claims Cases
10k or less or for a business 5k or less
SMJ
Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction and can only hear cases where it has SMJ. SMJ exists if a) there is a federal question; b) there is diversity of citizenship among the parties; or c) supplemental jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction is not waived if a party fails to raise it at trial - it may be raised at any time, even on appeal.
Federal Question
A federal question exists if a well-pleaded complaint alleges a claim that arises under federal law, the U.S. Constitution or United States treaties. Raising a federal defense is not sufficient.
Diversity JDX
Diversity jurisdiction exists when: 1) there is complete diversity of citizenship between plaintiffs and defendants; and 2) the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
Citizenship (person, corporation, Executors, Partners)
Citizenship for a person depends upon their domicile, (residence with a subjective intent to make the state their permanent home). For a corporation, citizenship is determined by the corporate Principal Place of Business, or nerve center where the company is controlled, or any state in which incorporated. Executors are citizens of the Decedent’s state, and partnerships are citizens of the domicile state of every partner.
AIC
– In federal courts, the AIC must be greater than $75K and alleged in good faith. A plaintiff can aggregate against one defendant, or all or all defendants if they are joint tortfeasors. If suing for injunctive relief, the AIC is based on the value of the benefit or the cost of compliance.
Supplemental JDX
If a federal court has SMJ over a claim, then it may exercise SJX over additional state claims when they arise from a common nucleus of operational facts. SJX cannot be used to circumvent lack of diversity and cannot provide for jurisdiction over third parties. SJX does not require AIC or diversity, and if not used solely to defeat diversity and the common nucleus requirements, then SJX will likely be granted.
Denying supplemental JDX
A federal court may decline SJX over state claims when: a) it raises a novel or complex issue of State law; b) it substantially predominates over the claim(s) of which the district court had original jurisdiction; c) the court has dismissed all claims of original jurisdiction; or d) in exceptional circumstances. State claims do not substantially predominate over federal claims when the facts needed to prove each claim are identical or similar.
Removal to federal court - D can only remove if
1) the federal court has SMJ; 2) all defendants agree; 3) no defendant is a resident of the forum state; and 4) removal is sought within 30 days of either service of the summons or receiving the initial pleading (whichever is shorter).
Who can never remove and what is the timeline for removal not to be an option
P; no more than 1 year after commencement in a diversity JDX
If a plaintiff files the case in a state court, a defendant must remove it to
federal district court that embraces that state court.
When must a fed court remand to state court
no federal SMJ
When MAY a federal court remand a case to State court when the Federal court orginally had SMJ
once he federal claims have been decided
A motion to remand must be filed within how many days of a request for removal
30
State courts can try a federal question case so long as
there is no implied restriction by congress
States cannot do what to a case
discriminate based on federal law
In personam JDX
– IPJ is required for a court to exercise judgment over a specific party, and normally falls into two categories: 1) the traditional bases of jurisdiction; and 2) modern bases of jurisdiction.
Traditional basis of jdx
domicile
presence when served
consent
Modern basis of jdx
long arm statute
consitutionality
Long arm statutes
Many states have adopted long-arm statutes which allow personal jurisdiction over non-residents. While long-arm statutes can differ by state, jurisdiction under a long-arm statute must satisfy the constitutional requirements for the exercise of jurisdiction. Many states, like California, have adopted long-arm statutes which extend personal jurisdiction to the limit of the Constitution.
Constitutionality - Int. Shoe
- To satisfy the Constitutional requirements for personal jurisdiction, the defendant must have such minimum contacts with the forum state as to not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.