Civ Procedure Flashcards
Subject-Matter Jurisdiction
Power of the court over a particular case
When can a federal court hear a case involving federal law and state law?
(1) The federal question must actually be in dispute;
(2) The federal question demands the federal judges’ expertise and ought to be resolved uniformly; and
(3) The federal question is not so commonly present in state law actions to trample their jurisdiction.
When is Diversity Jurisdiction measured?
At the time the suit is filed
BUT amended complaints that add/dismiss parties can affect diversity
Diversity Jurisdiction - Class Action Exception
More than 100 persons and greater than $5 million in controversy
Minimal diversity is needed - a single P is diverse from a single D
Aggregation of Claims
If P brings multiple claims against a single D, they will be added together to see if the amount in controversy is reached.
The claims can be totally unrelated. There’s no same transaction or occurrence requirement.
Supplemental Jurisdiction - Under which rules P brings D would ruin supplemental jurisdiction?
(1) Rule 14 - Third-Party Claim
(2) Rule 19 - Required Joinder
(3) Rule 20 - Permissive Joinder
(4) Rule 24 - Intervention
Supplemental Jurisdiction - Reasons why a court may still decline
(1) Involves a novel or complex state law
(2) Claim “substantially dominates” over the federal question or diversity jx claim
(3) Anchor claim is dismissed
(4) Other compelling reasons
Supplemental jurisdiction
The claim lacking federal question or diversity jx MUST arise from the same transaction/occurrence as the claim under FQ or diversity jx.
Removal
D can remove from state to federal if the case could have originally been filed in federal court EXCEPT IF
(1) Federal jx = diversity jx
(2) D is a citizen of the state where P filed suit
Multiple Ds –> Require all Ds to agree to removal
Removal - Timing
Must be within 30 days of when the ground becomes apparent, which is usually when D is served with P’s complaint.
If P amends their complaint, then it will be 30 days from when D is served with the amended complaint.
Based on when the last D was served (but only gives that later-served D the right to remove - other parties can agree and join in removal though)
If removal is based on diversity - D must remove within 1 year of filing unless P attempted to thwart removal
Personal Jurisdiction - Analysis
(1) Could a state court in that state assert PJ over that party? If no, then no PJ.
(2) The state law for PJ must be constitutional under the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause:
- Residency
- Consent (Appearance, K, Appointment)
- Service
- Minimum Contacts
- At-Home General JX
Minimum Contacts
(1) D has established a minimum contact with the state - D causes harm in the state, does business in the state, or has a real property interest in the state
(2) Claim against D arises from that contact; AND
(3) PJ won’t offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
“At Home” General JX
Business must be so significant that the company, though not headquartered or incorporated in that state, is essentially at home there
Venue
Region within a particular state in which the suit can be brought
Venue is proper in any district where:
a) any defendant resides (if all Ds are residents of the forum state)
b) a substantial portion of the claim occurred
c) a substantial portion of the property is located; OR
d) if none of the above, then where any D is subject to the court’s PJ. (“gap filler”)
Transferring Venue - Reasons
Convenience
Agreement
Interests of Justice
Transferring Venue - Convenience
The case could have been filed there in the first place AND transfer is necessary for the convenience of the parties and/or witnesses
Transferring Venue - Agreement
If all parties join request to transfer
Court does not need to consider personal jurisdiction or venue, since the agreement = consent.
Transferring Venue - Interest of Justice
If the case was filed in an improper venue, the court can dismiss the case OR in the interest of justice, transfer the case where it could have been filed originally.
What must be in the complaint
(1) Grounds for subject-matter jurisdiction
(2) Statement of facts that are sufficient to show that P is entitled to relief
(3) Demand for judgment and the relief sought
Amending the Complaint/Answer (Matter of Right)
Can amend ONCE as a MATTER OF RIGHT
Can amend complaint/answer within 21 days of serving the complaint/answer
AND
Can amend complaint within 21 days after service of the answer/motion to dismiss
Amending the Complaint - Permission
Party can amend the complaint with permission
1) Of the opposing parties
(2) of the court, who will consider reason for delay and prejudice (but usually granted
Statutes of Limitations & Amendments
When adding new claims –> amendment is considered filed on the date of the original claim if the new claim arises from the same transaction or occurrence as the pre-existing claim [relation back rule]
When adding new parties –> Will relate back to the original filing date as long as:
(1) same transaction and occurrence;
(2) new party received notice of the original action within 90 days of filing; AND
(3) new party knew (or should have known) that the action would have been brought against it but for a mistake in the party’s identity
Service of Process - Timing
Must be served within 90 days of filing the complaint
Service of Process - How can D be served?
(1) in the manner prescribed by the state court where the federal suit has been filed OR where D will be served.
(2) As specified by Federal Rule Civ. Pro. Rule 4.
Service of Process - Natural Person
(1) Deliver to D himself via third-party
(2) Leave it at D’s usual abode with a person of suitable age and discretion residing there
(3) serve D’s registered agent; OR
(4) Mail with letter requesting D waive in-person service
(4a) If D declines, D becomes responsible for the cost of personal service.
Service of Process - D = Corporation, Partnership, or Association
Serve process on
(1) an officer;
(2) A managing agent or general agent; OR
(3) Any other agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service
- -> If law requires service by mail, then it must be by hand AND mail.
What if D was not served?
Check if D had notice - Did P take reasonably calculated steps to inform D of the action against them?
ONLY MAY (not necessarily) a constitutional issue if P took reasonably calculated steps.
Defenses that must be raised in the answer or else are deemed waived
(1) Lack of personal jurisdiction
(2) Improper Venue
(3) Insufficient Process
(4) Insufficient Service of Process
Defenses that must be raised BEFORE TRIAL ENDS
(1) Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
(2) Failure to join a necessary party
Defense that can never be waived and can be brought up for the first time even on appeal
Lack of subject-matter jurisdiction
Motion to Strike
Court can (on own or on motion) order material stricken if complaint/answer contains redundant, immaterial, or scandalous stuff
Timing of Response to Complaint
If D was actually served with process –> 21 days to respond
If D waived service of process –> 60 days to respond
If D responds with either (1) motion for more definite statement; (2) motion to strike; (3) motion to dismiss instead of an answer –> D must file their answer within 14 days of the denial of any of those motions
Preliminary Injunction
Maintains the status quo pending the outcome of an action
May be issued only
(1) upon notice to the adverse party; AND
(2) if the moving party gives security/bond (to reimburse non-movant for injury caused by the injunction if the moving party is not successful on the merits)
Preliminary Injunction - Test
4 Prong Test
(1) Likelihood of P’s success on the merits
(2) Likely threat of irreparable harm to the movant
(3) Harm alleged by movant outweighs any harm to the non-moving party (balancing test); AND
(4) Injunction is in the public interest
Temporary Restraining Order
Emergency remedy used to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of a preliminary injunction application
Movant must allege immediate AND irreparable harm - court will then analyze the same factors as a preliminary injunction
(1) Likelihood of P’s success on the merits
(2) Likely threat of irreparable harm to the movant
(3) Harm alleged by movant outweighs any harm to the non-moving party (balancing test); AND
(4) Injunction is in the public interest
Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order
Moving party must
(1) provide specific facts in a sworn statement showing immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result before the adverse party can be heard;
(2) movant attorney certifies in writing any efforts made to give notice and the reasons why it should not be required
(3) Gives security in an amount that the court deems proper
NOTE: US Government, officers and agencies are NOT required to give security.
Ex Parte Temporary Restraining Order - Duration
Automatically expires after 14 days if granted.
UNLESS
(1) court sets a short time-frame for automatic expiration;
(2) court extends duration for good cause; OR
(3) parties consent.
Adverse party can move to dissolve/modify TRO with 2-days notice.