Civ Pro Flashcards
Fed Ct. SMJ
A federal court can only hear cases where it has subject matter jurisdiction, because it is a court of
limited jurisdiction. A federal court has subject matter jurisdiction if there is: (a) a federal question
jurisdiction; (b) diversity jurisdiction; or (c) supplemental jurisdiction. Subject matter jurisdiction
cannot be waived and may be raised at any time, even if on appeal.
CA Ct. SMJ
i. California superior courts are courts of general subject matter jurisdiction, and can hear any case
not dedicated to another division of the superior court.
1. Three classifications: (1) unlimited – exceeding $25k, can recover any amount or equitable
relief. (2) limited - $25k or less – limited to recovery of $25k. (3) small claims –
individuals/$7500 or less, corporations/$5000 or less.
2. Reclassification: If amount changes, matter can be reclassified on motion/hearing by a
party, or automatically by clerk. Can change from limited to unlimited if possibility that
recovery will exceed $25k. Can change from unlimited to limited only if $25k is virtually
unobtainable.
Federal Question Jurisdiction
i. Federal Question Jurisdiction exists if the plaintiff’s well-pleaded complaint alleges a claim that
arises under: (1) federal law; (2) the U.S. Constitution; or (c) treaties of the United States. The
plaintiff MUST be enforcing a federal right, and the federal question of law must be present on the
face of the Complaint.
1. Raising a defense under a federal law is NOT sufficient to trigger federal question
jurisdiction.
Diversity Jurisdiction
Diversity Jurisdiction exists when: (1) there is complete diversity of citizenship between all plaintiffs
and defendants (no plaintiff can be from the same state as any defendant); and (2) the amount in
controversy exceeds $75,000.
1. Diversity of citizenship is determined at the time the case is filed (a post-filing change of
citizenship, even if made solely for the purposes of litigation, is irrelevant if truly intended to
be a permanent change of domicile (i.e. not “sham” jx in bad faith).
Supplemental Jurisdiction
A federal court with subject matter jurisdiction (diversity jurisdiction or federal question jurisdiction)
over a claim may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over additional state law claims when the state
and federal claims arise from a common nucleus of operative fact (the same transaction or
occurrence).
Supplemental Jurisdiction DJ
If subject matter jurisdiction is based on diversity jurisdiction, supplemental
jurisdiction may not be exercised over a related claim if it would destroy complete
diversity.
State Prerogatives for Supp Jx
federal court may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims when: (a) the claim raises a novel or complex issue of State law; (b) the claim substantially predominates over the claim(s) of which the district court had original jurisdiction; (c) the federal district court has dismissed all claims over which it had original jurisdiction; OR (d) in exceptional circumstances.
Removal to Federal Court (motion by defendant)
A defendant may remove a case to a federal court sitting in the State where the claim was filed if:
(1) the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction (original jurisdiction);
(2) all defendants agree;
(3) no defendant is a resident of the forum state, if removal is sought under a Diversity Jurisdiction
basis; AND
(4) removal is sought within 30 days of either service of the Summons or receiving the
initial pleading (whichever period is shorter).
- A plaintiff CANNOT remove a case to federal court. In addition, a case CANNOT be removed
more than one year after commencement in a diversity action.
Remand to State Court (motion by plaintiff)
i. A federal court MUST remove a case to state court if there is no federal subject matter jurisdiction.
If it remands for denying to exercise supplemental jx, then it only decides the federal issues
in the case, severs the state law claims, and then remands state law claims.
ii. A federal court MAY remand the case to state court if a motion to remand on the basis of any other
defect has been made within 30 days after the filing of the Notice of Removal.
PJ In Personam General Rule
Personal jurisdiction refers to the judicial power over the persons or property involved in the case
before it. In personam jurisdiction is the power that a court has over an individual party. There are
four bases for in personam jurisdiction: (i) domicile, (ii) voluntary presence and personal service, (ii)
consent (or waiver), and (iv) long-arm statutes.
Long Arm Statutes & Due Process
Most states have enacted long arm statutes that authorize personal jurisdiction to the extent
permissible under the Due Process Clause. The constitutional due process requirements are satisfied
if a party has sufficient minimum contacts with the forum state so as to not offend traditional
notions of fair play and substantial justice.
Minimum Contacts
Minimum Contacts requires a showing of purposeful availment and foreseeability. The defendant
must have purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum state,
thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws. The defendant must also know or reasonably
anticipate that his activities in the forum state make it reasonably foreseeable that he may be
hauled into court there.
Relatedness (Specific or General Jurisdiction)
The scope of minimum contacts necessary for personal jurisdiction depends on whether the court
has Specific Jurisdiction or General jurisdiction over the defendant.
Specific jurisdiction may be found when a cause of action arises out (of or closely relates to) a defendant’s contacts with the
forum state, and may be warranted even if it’s the defendant’s only contacts with the state.General jurisdiction applies if the defendant is domiciled in the state, or has continuous and systematic
contacts with the forum state such that the defendant is essentially at home in the forum, and can
be found even when the claim has no relationship with the defendant’s contacts with the state.
Fair Play and Substantial Justice (F-S-B-J-)
In determining whether personal jurisdiction would offend traditional notions of fair play and
substantial justice, courts consider: (1) the interest of the forum state in adjudicating the matter; (2)
the shared interests of the states in promoting common social policies; (3) the burden on the
defendant of appearing in the case; and (4) interest of the judiciary in efficient resolution.
Choice of Law/Erie Doctrine
In diversity jurisdiction cases or supplemental jurisdiction cases, the federal court must apply state
substantive law, but will apply federal procedural law (even when no federal procedural law on point, can
still ignore state procedural law).
i. If a law is clearly substantive/procedural, courts will simply apply according to above rule.
Clearly Substantive State Laws (CBEST): (1) Conflict or choice of law rules of the State; (2)
Burdens of Proof; (3) Elements of a claim/defense; (4) Statutes of Limitations; (5) Tolling
provisions.
2. Clearly Procedural Laws: FRCP rules, rules of evidence, Judge-Jury allocations for factual
determinations, attorney’s fees assessments, determining if an issue is equitable or legal.
ii. If unclear whether a law is substantive or procedural in nature, and the federal law and state law
conflict, courts use the following approach:
1. If state law conflicts with the constitution, constitution controls.
2. If State law conflicts with an on-point federal statute or FRCP rule, federal law controls if
valid under Rules Enabling Act (i.e. can’t affect substantive rights beyond incidental effects).
3. If State law conflicts with Federal Common Law, then:
a. Outcome Determinative Test – If the state law would change the outcome of the
case, it is substantive and must be used (unless important countervailing federal
interests are at stake). If the state law would not change the outcome of the case,
federal law applies.
i. Alternate considerations: Balancing of Interests – does either federal or
state system have a strong interest in having its rule applied? Avoiding
Forum Shopping – if applying state law would help prevent forum shopping.
Fed. Ct. Scope of Discovery
- In Federal Court, a party in a lawsuit may obtain discovery of all non-privileged information that
is: (1) relevant to any party’s claim or defense; AND (2) proportional to the needs of the case.
(considering the importance of the issues at stake, amount in controversy, party’s access to
relevant information and resources, the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues, and
the burden/expense vs. likely benefit). - Information within the scope of discovery need not be admissible as evidence to be
discoverable.
CA Ct. Scope of Discovery
In California Courts, a party in a lawsuit may obtain discovery of all non-privileged information
that is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action (this is broader than the
federal standard).
Mental & Physical Examinations (must be court-ordered) (GNC)
A court-ordered mental or physical examination by a suitable licensed or certified examiner may only be
conducted on parties in the case, and will only be ordered upon: (1) a motion for good cause shown, (2)
the party-examinee’s mental/physical condition is in controversy, and (3) all parties have been given
prior notice specifying the time, place, manner, conditions, examiner, and scope of the examination.
Motion for Summary Judgment
i. A court will grant a Motion for Summary Judgment when: (1) there is no genuine issue of material
fact; AND (2) the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. When reviewing the motion,
the court MUST view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. A court
may grant the motion in full or in part (partial summary judgment). Papers submitted on a motion
for summary judgment MUST cite to particular evidence in the record.
1. In California, a party must include a statement of undisputed facts in the motion for
summary judgment.
Right to Jury Trial
The 7th Amendment guarantees a right to a jury trial for actions at law (BUT NOT for actions in equity). A
demand for a jury trial MUST be made within 14 days of service of the last pleading concerning the claims
(usually are made in the complaint or answer).
i. If a case involves both legal and equitable claims, the legal claims will be tried first to the jury and
then the equitable claims will be tried by the judge.
Appeals - Final Judgment Rule
A party may only appeal from a final judgment or decision (known as the “final judgment rule”). A
final judgment/decision is one which ends the entire litigation on the merits (all claims against all
parties are resolved), and leaves nothing for the court to do but execute the judgment. Appeals
MUST be filed within 30 days after entry of the judgment appealed from.
- A judgment on the merits also includes: Summary Judgment (MSJ was granted), JMOL, default judgments/involuntary dismissals on non-jurisdictional grounds (i.e. w/SMJ & PJ),
and voluntary dismissals with prejudice. - Interlocutory Appeals are generally limited to: Denials or grants of injunctive relief, or
Failure to certify a class action lawsuit.
Claim Preclusion (Res Judicata) = Intelligent People Don’t throw the same party twice!
Claim Preclusion provides that a final judgment on the merits of a claim precludes the parties from re-
litigating the same claim in a subsequent action. Claim preclusion requires: (1) identical parties (or in
privity) in prior and subsequent case; (2) the prior action concluded in a final judgment on the merits by a
court of competent jurisdiction; and (3) the same claim is being asserted in the prior and subsequent case
(i.e. the claim arises out of the same transaction or occurrence as the previously litigated claim).
Issue Preclusion (Collateral Estoppel) = “I’m sorry I must estop you from speaking bc you already brought this
issue up last time, at length.”
Issue Preclusion (collateral estoppel) precludes a party from attempting to retry an issue if there has been a
final judgment on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction. Issue preclusion requires:
(1) a valid and
Final judgment in the first action;
(2) the issue is Identical to the issue decided in the prior action;
(3) the
issue was actually Litigated, determined, and essential to the judgment in the prior action; AND
(4) the
party against whom enforcement of issue preclusion is sought (i.e. the party to be precluded) had a Full and
Fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the first action. A non-party to a prior action may assert issue
preclusion if the four-part test above is satisfied.
i. Thus, “offensive estoppel” is permitted (i.e. it’s fair for new plaintiff to assert same issue against the
defendant).
1. A plaintiff who was not a party to an earlier action in which the defendant was sued may be
allowed to sue the defendant in their own case, unless that plaintiff could’ve easily joined in
the earlier action or it would be unfair to the defendant.
Diversity Jurisdiction
For a federal court to have SMJ over the action based on diversity of citizenship, two
requirements must be met: (1) there must be complete diversity between P’s and D’s, and
(2) the amount in controversy must exceed $75,000, excluding costs.
Complete Diversity
To have complete diversity, all Πs must be citizens of different states than
all Δs. Determining citizenship depends on the nature of the party:
1. Natural Persons
a. A natural person’s citizenship is the state of her domicile,
which is the place where (1) there is presence in the state,
and (2) intent to remain.
- Corporations
a. Citizenship of a corporation is (1) any state where
incorporated, and (2) where it has its PPB – which is where
the managers direct, control, and coordinate activity (nerve
center). - Unincorporated Associations (LLCs, Partnerships, etc)
a. Any state in which a member is a citizen. - Decedents/Minors/Incompetents
Use their citizenship, NOT the representative’s.
ii. Alienage jdx if citizen of a state and citizen of a foreign country
Amount in Controversy
i. A plaintiff’s good faith claim must exceed $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Does not matter that a plaintiff obtains less than this amount at judgment, it just matters what is pled.
ii. Aggregation Rules:
1. 1 P v. 1 D – plaintiff may aggregate claims (no limits)
2. 2 P v. 1 D – no aggregation unless plaintiffs have a common
undivided interest (i.e. a single right).
a. Joint owners of real estate have common right; Several
victims of same accidents do not have common right
3. 1 P v. 2 D – no aggregation unless joint tortfeasors/jointly liable.
iii. Equitable Relief:
1. To meet amount for injunction, this is met if harm to Π is over $75k,
or if amount for Δ to comply with injunction is over $75k.
2. Exclusions - (1) divorce; (2) alimony; (3) child custody; (4) to probate an estate
Federal Question Jurisdiction
Federal courts also have jx over actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of
the US. The federal question must appear as part of Π's well-pleaded complaint, and
cannot be based solely on any defenses. Plaintiff must be enforcing a federal right.
a. Well pleaded complaint = claim is for enforcement of a federal right.
California SMJ:
California superior courts are courts of general subject matter jurisdiction, and can hear any
case not dedicated to another division of the superior court.
a. Three classifications: (1) unlimited – exceeding $25k, can recover any amount or
equitable relief. (2) limited - $25k or less – limited to recovery of $25k. (3) small
claims – individuals/$7500 or less, corporations/$5000 or less.
b. Reclassification: If amount changes, matter can be reclassified on motion/hearing
by a party, or automatically by clerk. Can change from limited to unlimited if
possibility that recovery will exceed $25k. Can change from unlimited to limited
only if $25k is virtually unobtainable.
VENUE
i. Proper venue determined at the time the case is filed
ii. Proper Venue = (Really Stupid People Pass): Venue refers to the proper district to bring the action.
Venue is proper in:
1. Really = in the district where any Δ resides if all in same state; if foreign Δ then any district
2. Stupid = in the district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions that give rise to
the claim occurred,
3. People = where a substantial part of property is situated, or
4. Pass = if none of the above, then in any district where any Δ is subject to personal jdx
NOTE - These rules don’t apply to removed cases, venue set in district embraced by state ct.
Residence
- Individual – residence is place of domicile
- Corporations–residence is any district where subject to PJ w/ respect to the action in Q
- Non-US Citizens – any district
Transfer of Venue (Federal court to Federal Court ONLY)
- Ct may transfer to another venue if (1) convenient for the parties & where the action could
have original been filed (PJ, SMJ, & Venue appropriate), or (2) all parties consent - If venue was proper, new location should be center of gravity given public/pvt factors
Forum Non Conveniens (used if other Ct is in a different country/judicial system)
A court may dismiss or stay an action based on FNC if the court finds, in the interests of
justice, that another forum is superior (even if venue is otherwise proper). The court
considers both public and private factors:
a. Public factors
i. (1) Availability of alternative forum; (2) Π's choice of forum; and (3) forum
state's interest in providing a forum for its residents
b. Private factors
i. (1) Convenience of the parties and witnesses; (2) location of the evidence;
and (3) where the cause of action arose
Venue in California
- Must be in the proper county. Local actions: where land is situated. Transitory Actions:
where any Δ resides, where K entered or to be performed, where breach/harm occurred - Transfer may be sought if (1) There is no reason to believe impartial trial cannot be had in
the original venue; or (2) Convenience of witnesses and ends of justice would be promoted;
or (3) No judge is qualified to act.
REMOVAL
- A defendant may remove a case to a federal court sitting in the State where the claim was
filed if: (1) the federal court has subject matter jurisdiction (original jurisdiction); (2) all
defendants agree; (3) no defendant is a resident of the forum state (only if removal is
sought under a Diversity Jurisdiction basis); AND (4) removal is sought within 30 days of
either service of the Summons or receiving the initial pleading (whichever period is shorter).
A plaintiff CANNOT remove a case to federal court. In addition, a case CANNOT be removed
more than one year after commencement in a diversity action.
Removal = SAR 30
Removal is Proper if:
a. S = Fed Ct has Subject matter jurisdiction;
b. A = All defendants consent (only D’s can remove a case!)
c. R = No defendant is a resident of the state, if diversity jurisdiction is basis of SMJ;
and
d. 30 = Removal action is brought within 30 days
Requirements for Removal
- An action originally filed in state court may be removed to federal court if the action could
have originally been brought in federal court (IE: satisfied PJ, SMJ, and Venue), in the district
embracing the state court where action was originally filed. - Only Δs may remove, and all Δs (who have been served) must join in removal
- Diversity case exceptions: (1)no removal if Δ is a citizen of the forum state; (2) no removal
more than one year after the case was filed in state court
Procedure for Removal
Δs file notice of removal in federal court for district that geographically encompasses
the state court from which the action is being removed within 30 days after service.
1. If another Δ is served later, it restarts the 30 day clock. Δ must attach all docs served in
state action, must copy all parties, and file copy of notice of removal in state court.
Remand Mandatory and Discretionary
Π may then move to remand to state court if federal jdx is improper within 30 days after
removal based on procedural defects (ex: Δ was citizen of forum state; can't stop removal, only
remand). A motion to remand based on lack of SMJ can be made at any time.
1. MANDATORY: If removal was improper, must remand back if:
a. LACK OF SMJX can remand anytime
b. UNRELATED STATE CLAIMS sever state law claims and remand if 1-fed and state
law claims in that case, and 2-fed ct doesn’t have supp jx over state claims
c. ACTIONS DESTROYING SMJ LATER court can deny joinder OR permit joinder and
remand back to state court (e.g. joining additional Ds that defeats SMJx)
- DISCRETIONARY: Judge has discretion + may remand if:
a. Complex issues of state law will dominate case
b. Ongoing state regulatory hearings
Erie Doctrine
A. In diversity cases; in sup. jurisdiction cases where the court exercises supplemental jx over state law
claims, the federal court must apply state substantive law, but may apply federal procedural law.
i. If law is clearly substantive/procedural, courts will simply apply according to above rule
Clearly substantive state law issues (in which Ct would have to apply state law): (Can The State
Enforce)(1) elements of claim/defense; (2) SoL; (3) rules for tolling SoLs; (4) conflict or choice of law rules
B. If unclear whether law is substantive or procedural in nature, courts will generally use one of three tests:
i.
(1) Outcome Determinative Test – if applying/ignoring state rule would substantially affect the
“outcome” of the case, state law must be applied. (unless would apply fed law if it is important (i.e.
constitutional right))
(2) Balancing of Interests – does either federal or state system have a strong interest in having its
rule applied?
(3) Avoid Forum Shopping – if federal court ignoring state law will lead to a floodgate of federal
actions, then state law should apply.
CALIFORNIA CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES TORTS
TORT ACTIONS (GOVERNMENTAL INTEREST APPROACH)
A. (1) ARE THE LAWS OF THE 2 STATES IDENTICAL?
i. No? evaluate which state has an interest in the application of its law
B. (2) IF BOTH ST have an interest true conflict exists
i. Compare the impairment to each state’s interest if the law of the other should is applied.