Civ Pro Rules Flashcards
Given word, Provide rule
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Federal courts are courts of limited jx and can only hear cases where it has SMJ. SMJ exists if there is a federal question, if there is diversity of citizenship, or in the case of supplemental jx.
Subject Matter Jurisdiction (CA)
CA divides SMJ into 3 categories
(1) Unlimited Civil Cases: requires >$25k in controversy and includes full range of motions and remedies
(2) Limited Civil Cases: requires <$25k in controversy and limited to claims requiring monetary remedies
(3) Small Claims Cases: requires a claim <$10k (or $5k for business entity) no attorneys allowed, pro se only
Federal Question
Arises under federal law, the Constitution, or US treaties. Raising a federal defense is not sufficient.
Diversity Jx
Diversity jx exists when there is complete diversity of citizenship between litigants and the amount in controversy is >$75k.
Citizenship
Citizenship for a person depends upon their domicile. A domicile is where a person resides, with intent to make the stat their permanent home of record. Corporations may have two states of citizenship, determined by the corporate Principal Place of Business or the state in which incorporated.
Amount in Controversy
In federal courts, AIC > $75k and alleged in good faith. A P can aggregate claims to get to $75k if making multiple claims against one D.
Supplemental Jx
A federal court SMJR may exercise SJX over state claims when they arise from a common nucleus of operational facts. A federal court may decline SJX over state claims when the claim raises a novel or complex issue of State law, it substantially predominates over the original federal claim, or if the court has dismissed the claim which had original jx. (Look for situation in which SMJ is invalid, if so, the court cannot exercise SJX either)
Removal to Federal Court
Only a D may remove a case to federal court. This requires that the federal court has SMJ, no D is domiciled in the forum state, and removal is sought within 30 days. (P can never remove a case to federal court bc they decided the forum originally)
Remand to State Court
Remand occurs when a case is sent from Federal Court to State Court. This typically occurs when there is invalid SMJ. A federal court may remand a case that originally had SMJ, at the court’s discretion, once the federal claims have been decided.
In Personam Jx (IPJ)
IPJ required for a court to exercise judgment and normally falls within two categories - the traditional bases of jx and the modern bases of jx.
State v. Federal Jx
State courts can try federal question cases, as long as there is no implied restriction by Congress. States may not discriminate because a case is based strictly on Federal law.
Traditional Bases of Jx
The traditional bases of jx include domicile, presence when served, consent and waiver.
Modern Bases of Jx
Modern bases of jx are the Long Arm Statute and Constitutionality.
Personal Jx
Personal jurisdiction refers to the judicial power over the persons or property involved in the cases or controversies before it. There are three general types of personal jurisdiction: (i) in personam jurisdiction; (ii) in rem jurisdiction; and (iii) quasi-in-rem jurisdiction.
In Personam Jx
In personam jurisdiction is the power that a court has over an individual party. There are four bases for in personam jurisdiction: (i) voluntary presence; (ii) domicile; (iii) consent; and (iv) long-arm statutes.
Due Process Requirements
Due process requirements are satisfied if the nonresident defendant has certain minimum contacts with the forum jurisdiction such that the maintenance of the action does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
Long Arm Statute
Many states have adopted long-arm statutes which allow personal jurisdiction over non residents. While long arm statutes can differ by state, jx under a long arm statute must satisfy the constitutional requirements for the exercise of jx. Many states, like CA, have adopted long arm statutes which extend personal jx to the limit of the Con.
Constitutionality
To satisfy the Con requirements for personal jx, the D must have such minimum contacts with the forum state as to not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice. In determining whether such. minimum contacts are present, courts look to three things: (1) the extent of the contacts, (2) their relatedness to cause of action, and (3) whether the exercise of jx would be fair.
Contacts
In determining minimum contacts, the court looks at whether the D purposefully availed himself of the forum state, and whether the exercise of jx by the forum state would be foreseeable.
Purposeful
The contacts were purposeful if the D availed themselves of the benefits and protections of the forum state’s laws.
Foreseeable
The contacts were foreseeable if the D could foresee being hauled into court based on contacts in the forum state.
Relatedness
The relatedness of a contact to the controversy determines if the court will exert General or Special Jx.
General Jx
Exists if contacts are so systematic and continuous that the D is essentially at home in the forum state.
Specific Jx
Exists if general jx does not exist the court looks to see whether contacts relate or give rise to the cause of action.
Fair Play and Substantial Justice
Requires courts to consider the burden on D, the state’s interest, P’s relief interest, interstate judicial system’s interest in efficiency, and shared social policy interests.
Judgment on the Pleadings
Can be motioned for when material facts are not in dispute and the pleadings reveal merit of the claim for either party. Filed only after an answer has been filed and pleadings are closed.
Venue
Venue is proper in any district where any D is a resident, where a substantial portion of the claim occurred, or where a substantial part of property is located. Otherwise, venue is proper in any judicial district where any D is subject to personal jx. Venue may be transferred for party convenience or in the interests of justice, if the action could have been brought in the receiving court. In CA, if the suit is considered a local action (involving real property) then venue will be set in the same county as the real property. Otherwise, the venue will be considered a transitory action, and venue will be considered proper in the county where any D resides.
Forum Non Conveniens
Allows a court to decline jx and dismiss an action if the court where the action was brought would be a seriously inconvenient forum and an adequate alternative forum exits in a foreign country.
Service
Must be made within 90 days, but upon showing of good cause, the court must extend an additional appropriate period. Requires summons and complain t. Failure to serve in time results in a dismissal without prejudice.