Civ Pro Flashcards
What is the difference between a federal court’s subject matter jx and a state court’s SMJ?
Federal courts have LIMITED smj State courts have UNLIMITED smj (assume state courts always have jx over any kind of case unless given a contrary statute)
Can either party waive the lack of SMJ?
NO!!! lack of SMJ cannot be waived by failing to object or by affirmative consent
When can lack of SMJ be raised? By who can it be raised?
Lack of SMJ can be raised by ANY PARTY (P, court, D) at ANY TIME (even on appeal)
What are the two ways to get SMJ?
Federal question jx diversity jx
What is federal question jx?
To what does one look to determine whether it exists?
FEDERAL QUESTION JX = You have SMJ for a claim ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW
TO FIND: Look at the face of PLAINTIFF’S COMPLAINT
- only P’s claims count: EXISTENCE OF FEDERAL DEFENSE IS IRRELEVANT
When does a federal court have diversity jx? Exceptions?
Diversity jx exists when case is between:
- citizens of different states, or
- citizens of a state and a foreign country, AND amount in controversy (AIC) exceeds $75,000
EXCEPTIONS—even if diversity exists, can’t use it for:
- probate actions (wills) and
- domestic relations actions
What does it mean for there to be complete diversity? Are there exceptions to the requirement of complete diversity?
ALL plaintiffs must be diverse from ALL defendants
Minimal diversity = any P is diverse from any D, even if others overlap
Minimal diversity is acceptable in certain situations:
- Federal Interpleader Act
- Class actions with claims more than $5 million
- Interstate mass torts if:
- at least 75 people have died in one accident AND
- Ds are from many different states
When must complete diversity exist?
when complaint is FILED (it’s fine if diversity doesn’t exist when cause of action arose or when case comes to trial)
How do you determine an individual’s citizenship for a diversity action? an alien?
an individual is the citizen of a state/country of DOMICILE:
- DOMICILE = US citizen + permanent residency
- permanent resident = residency + intent to remain indefinitely there
- If ALIEN (citizen of foreign nation): citizen of foreign country
- if permanent resident, treat as citizen of state in which she’s domiciled
What rules apply in determining diversity regarding a representative party?
Citizenship of representative party controls
EXCEPTIONS
- for litigation re: decedent’s estate, citizenship of decedent controls
- for guardian/rep of minor/incomptent, infant’s/incompetent’s citizenship controls
What rules apply in determining diversity regarding a class action?
citizenship of NAMED or REPRESENTATIVE PARTIES count
unnamed class members can join without regard to citizenship
What rules apply in determining diversity regarding a corporation?
can have SEVERAL CITIZENSHIPS AT ONCE
citizen of:
- state/states/nations where it’s INCORPORATED
- state/nation where it has its PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS (hq(s))
What happens if Plaintiff is from maryland and D is a corporation incorporated in DE and NY with its PPB in MD?
NO DIVERSITY! Must check EVERY citizenship
What rules apply in determining diversity regarding a partnership or an unincorporated association? to what does this rule apply?
a partnership/unincorporated association is a citizen of EVERY STATE OF WHICH ITS MEMBERS ARE CITIZENS applies to partnerships, LLPs, trade assns, and unions
What are devices available to create/destroy diversity? When are these permissible?
these are okay as long as they are NOT SHAMS OR FRAUDULENT:
- moving (even if it’s done with purpose of affecting diversity, just has to be genuine change in domicile)
- assignment of claim: permitted as long as real (i.e., for VALUE) and complete (not COLLUSIVE)
- NB: partial assignment for debt collection does NOT affect citizenship if assignor retains interest in claim
What amount is required to have diversity jx? Does it need to be proven?
must EXCEED $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs
any GOOD FAITH allegation will suffice
- only when it appears to a LEGAL CERTAINTY that AIC will not be met will it be dismissed
When is aggregation of claims allowed in order to get diversity jx?
1 P v. 1 D: Allowed, regardless of claims’ relatedness
1 P v. 2+ Ds: P cannot aggregate claims against different Ds (NEED $75k for EACH D)
2+ Ps v. 1D: Ps cannot aggregate claims against D (could use supplement jx though)
What’s the difference between removal and transfer?
Removal = state to federal
transfer = from one fed court to another fed court
When is removal proper?
Who can remove?
If multiple Ds, what happens?
Anything extra if removal based on diversity jx?
Time limits on removal?
REMOVAL IS PROPER WHEN case could have been brought ORIGINALLY in fed court (P WOULD HAVE HAD SMJ)
- ONLY Ds can remove
- all Ds consented to removal within 30 days
- IF BASED ON DIVERSITY:
- diversity jx reqs are met
- brought in state in which NO Ds ARE CITIZENS
- removal is brought within one year of commencement of action
- UNLESS P’S BAD FAITH MADE IT UNREMOVABLE
What happens when a D removes?
- notice of removal is filed in federal court, with a copy to state court
- state court’s jx ends AUTOMATICALLY
- P can file in FEDERAL COURT for remand, and federal court hears that
What is the basic rule of supplemental jx? Is a court required to hear a case over which it has supplemental jx?
Allows a federal court with SMJ to hear additional claims that don’t independently have SMJ if ALL CLAIMS CONSTITUTE SAME CASE/CONTROVERSY
- same case/controversy = arise out of same transaction or occurrence
- DISCRETIONARY
What limits apply to supplemental jx in a diversity jx case?
Must still be same case/controversy
NO SUPP JUR over:
- claims by Ps against persons made party under r. 14, 19, 20, 24
- claims by parties seeking to intervene as Ps under r24
- claims by parties proposed to be joined as Ps under r19
- (basically any PLAINTIFF’S CLAIM AGAINST NEW/ADDED Ds)
- Claims by Ds ARE JUST FINE!
When can a counterclaim in a diversity action be allowed under supplemental jx?
IF COMPULSORY (i.e., arising out of same case/controversy), then fine if by D (because no limits) IF PERMISSIVE (different occurrence): not allowed under supp jur
When can a cross claim (p v. p or d v. d) in a diversity action be allowed under supp jx?
Must arise out of transaction or occurrence that’s subject of action or of counterclaim can’t be brought by P against new party