Civil Procedure Flashcards
how are Contractual Provisions limiting or designating forum treated?
Prima facie valid and should be enforced, unless the party challenging enforcement establishes that such provisions are:
unfair
unreasonable
affected by fraud
unequal bargaining power
What needs to be satisfied for PJ in VA
- VA Statute
- Constiution
When does a court have general personal jurisdiction
- When the person was served with process in the sate
- When the person was domiciled in the state.
When does a court have specific Jurisdiction
- Under the long arm statute
- Non Resident Motorist Act (NRMA)
What actions trigger the long arm statute for specific personal jurisdiction
- tortious injury in state by act/omission in state
- tortious injury in state by act or omission out of state
- contacts to supply services or things in VA
- has an interest in, uses or possesses realty in VA
- transacts business in VA
- causes injury in VA by breach of warranty where sale was out of sate.
- seller must
1. reasonably foresee effect in VA and regularly do or solicit business her or
2. derive substantial revenue from goods consumed in VA - Domestic relations
What is the non-resident motorist act (NRMA)
JX over owner or operator of a Moto vehicle involved in an accident in VA.
What is the constitutional standard for PJ
Minimum contacts
JX does not offend traditional notions of fail play and substantial justice
- purposeful availment
What SMJ do VA Circuit Courts have
any case except those for which there is exclusive jurisdiction vested in another court.
Mainly monetary claims or claims to specific personal property of 4,500 or less
What SMJ do VA General District Courts have
statutory and for causes of action.
Exclusive SMJ for monetary recovery or specific personal property of $4500 or less
Actions at law in tort or contact or in detinue (for recovery of personal property or value thereof for 25k or less
Attachments cases for personal property 25k or less
Interpleader for real or personal property worth 25k or less for earnest money in land sales - no cap.
Rent due (distress claims) or unlawful entry or detainer
Distress warrants ( creditor seizes property)
Appeal from GDC to Circuit Court
Absolute right if the amount involved is more than $20
Steps for appealing final judgment to Circuit Court
- file written notice of appeal with clerk of GDC within 10 days of judgment
- post bond and pay writ tax in GDC within 30 days (10 if for unlawful detainer)
When may plaintiff seek to amend her amount in controversy after final judgment in the GDC
Only when the defendant appeals
What claims are heard in category A venues?
Local actions
- recovery, partition or judicial sale of land, etc., venue is where the land is
Wills, venue is where the will was probated or where it could have been offered for probate.
Writs, venue is where the place where the proceeding to which the writ relates is located.
Injunctions, venue is where the subject proceeding or judgment is pending or was rendered or where the subject dc act is t be done, etc..
What are the types of writs?
Mandamus - forcing an officer to perform a ministerial act
Prohibition - stopping lower court from exercising jurisdiction
Certiorari - for review of zoning decisions
Where are category B venues?
- D resides or PPE
- cause of action arose
- D register office or appointed agent
- D regularly conducts substantial business activity
- in case to recover personal property where property is located
- in case against fiduciary appointed under court order, where fiduciary qualified.
What happens when a case is filed in an improper venue
court will transfer to a proper venue unless it finds good cause to keep the case
even if D objected to venue in a timely manner and he was rights, court will not dismiss
What are the factors for good cause relevant to venue transfer
- Ps choice of forum against things like
- agreement of parties
- avoidance of substantial inconvenience
- delay in party’s seeking transfer
decision is vested in court’s discretion.
when will a court dismiss a case for forum non convenient
- cause of action accrued out of state
- is brought by an out of state resident
- more convenient forum elsewhere
- court found good cause and other court has jx
What is a summons and what are they called in the GDC and circuit court
Tells D he’s been sued and what to do to avoid default
GDC - warrant or notice of motion for judgment
Circuit Court - Summons
When can injunctions be granted in GDC?
Only for injunctions to enforce FOIA requests.
For what claims may the GDC hear actions at law and what is the amount in controversy?
Contract
Tort
Detinue - recovery of personal property or value thereof
25k or less
When may the GDC hear attachment cases?
for personal property if the value is 25k or less.
If attachment involves realty, regardless of value, it must go to circuit court.
When may GDC hear interpleader cases
If the real or personal property is worth 25k or less.
Injunction is not available
May hear interpleaders in any amount for earnest money deposit in land sales contracts
for what claims does the amount in controversy not matter in the GDC?
rent due (distress claims) or unlawful entry or detainer and distress warrants - Creditor seizes property
What does a motion craving oyer do?
Makes other party produce document.
What is an ad damnum clause?
part of pleading demanding damages.
What is the possible final outcome for motions and for demurres?
Motions are granted or denied.
Demurres are overruled or sustained.
What is a subpeona duces tecum?
command to produce documents or things
What are the elements for Re Judicata (claim preclusion)?
- Case 1 and 2 were brought by the same claimant against the same defendant.
- case 1 ended in a final valid judgement or decree on the merits. (any judgment unless based on jx, venue, or indispensable parties.
- case 1 and 2 involved an assertion of the same cause of action.
- Federal cause of action = same transaction and occurence
- VA cause of action = conduct, transaction, or occurence
What is the major exception to res judicata collateral estoppel in VA
Where personal injuries and property damage arise for the same T/O, they are different causes of action.
Collateral Estoppel (issue preclusion)
Precludes re litigation of a particular issue that was litigated and determined in case 1.
- case 1 ended in a valid final judgment on the merits
- an issue presented in case 2 was actually litigated and determined in case 1.
- That issue was essential to the judgment of the case.
- being asserted against one who was a party to case 1 ( or represented by that party.
- Being asserted by someone who was a party to case 1.
what is required for the circuit court to certify a pretrial interlocutory ruling for appeal?
1 A party must request such an order and the court must certify:
- there is a substantial ground for difference of opinion.
- there is no clear VA appeal ant precedent
- determination of the issue will be dispositive of a material aspect of the case, and
- The court and parties agree that it is in the parties’ best in interest to seek interlocutory review.
- file petition with Supreme Court within 10 days of certificate by Circuit Court.
What is the rule on appeals for final judgments for GDC?
Must involve 20$ or more.
Timing:
- file notice of appeal in GDC no later than 10 days of entry of judgment
- post bond and pay writ tax and costs in GDC no later than 30 days of entry of judgment (10 days in unlawful detained cases.)
What is the rule on appeals for final judgments in the VA circuit court?
Appeal goes to Virginia Court of Appeals.
There is a right to appeal from final judgments and rulings or denying injunctions in domestic cases (divorce, adoption, custody, support) and in some administrative matters. But the court of appeals plays no appreciable role in other civil cases.
File notice of appeal in CC within 30 days after entry of appealable decision.
How may appeals from the circuit court be brought to the VA Supreme Court?
Allowed in general Civil Cases if they involve at least 500$ on appeal. it is Discretionary.
Pleading:
Preservation of issues - reasonable certainty
Adverse authority - bring to the court’s attention adverse controlling authority.
Steps and timing:
- file notice with the clerk of CC no later than 30 days after judgment
- Mail or deliver copy of notice to OC.
How may appeals from the circuit court be brought to the VA Supreme Court?
Allowed in general Civil Cases if they involve at least 500$ on appeal. it is Discretionary.
Pleading:
Preservation of issues - reasonable certainty
Adverse authority - bring to the court’s attention adverse controlling authority.
Steps and timing:
- file notice with the clerk of CC no later than 30 days after judgment
- Mail or deliver copy of notice to OC.
What is a nonsuit?
P decides to drop the case.