Civil Procedure Flashcards
Which Jurisdiction can be waived and which can be asserted at any time?
Personal jurisdiction may be waived, but subject matter jurisdiction may be asserted at any time (thus not waivable).
How diversity of jurisdiction applies to persons not living in the US?
A citizen of another country may trigger diversity of jurisdiction.
However, a US citizen living in another country indefinitely won’t (should file suit in a state court instead).
Can I sue a defendant living in the same state as I do in federal court?
Yes, as long as it is done under a cause of action that arose under federal law. Defendant may be prosecuted in ANY federal court in the state.
Is an expert, who was retained in anticipation of litigation or to prepare for trial but is not expected to be called as a witness, subject to discovery by the other party?
No, discovery of the expert’s opinions is permitted only on a showing of exceptional circumstances under which it is impracticable for the party to obtain facts or opinions on the same subject by other means.
How can one consent to Personal Jurisdiction, if PJ is not warranted by the facts?
Unlike with subject-matter jurisdiction, a party may consent to personal jurisdiction expressly, impliedly, or by a voluntary appearance to defend the case on the merits.
For Eerie purpose, how is solved a conflict between applicable federal and state procedural laws?
If the applicable state and federal laws conflict, the district court must ask whether a valid federal statute covers the disputed issue. If there is a valid federal statute on point, the district court must apply federal law rather than the State law.
What does say the Rules Enabling Act regarding application of law in citizenship diversity cases?
Before applying a Federal Rule (rather than a federal statute) on point, the court determines whether the rule is valid under the Rules Enabling Act. Specifically, the court asks if the Federal Rule abridges, enlarges, or modifies any substantive right. If the Federal Rule leads to a different outcome, then state law is applied.
In multi-state cases what law should one follow when serving on the Defendant?
For serving a summons in an action brought in courts of general jurisdiction in the state where the district court is located (the forum state) or in the state where service is made.
What must establish a Plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction?
(i) she is likely to succeed on the merits;
(ii) she is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of relief;
(iii) the balance of equities is in her favor; and
(iv) the injunction is in the best interest of the public.
Can a D in a Federal court amend its petition to include a lack of Personal Jurisdiction after failing to do so in her initial appearance to the court?
Yes. Rule 15(a)(1)(a): a party may amend its pleading once as a matter of course within 21 days after serving it. 12(h)(1)(B): a party waives the defense of lack of personal jurisdiction by failing to include it in a pre-answer motion, a responsive pleading, or in an amendment allowed by Rule 15(a)(1), as a matter of course.
How much discretionary power does a Federal Court have to allow parties to amend their pleadings?
Plenary. Should freely grant leave to amend a pleading when justice so requires.
Can a court impose monetary sanctions to an attorney ex-officio?
No. A court may impose sanctions, including payment of attorney’s fees, on attorneys, law firms, and parties for violations of Rule 11, but may typically do so only when a party makes a motion for such fees.
Can an attorney solely rely upon factual contentions put forth by the client in a pleading?
No. An attorney must make a reasonable inquiry into the factual contentions contained in a pleading.
Are the acts of transfering property by a debtor after the filing of the bankruptcy petition to two transferees for less than reasonably equivalent value “related to the same transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or occurrences”?
It depends on the nature of the property receive by each transferee.
Transfer of personal property is unrelated to the transfer of the real property.
What are the requirements for a D to implead a third party?
D may implead a third party at any time after the complaint has been filed by serving a summons and third-party complaint on the third party. The D (third-party plaintiff) may do so without the court’s permission if he files the third-party complaint within 14 days after serving his answer to the plaintiff’s complaint.
Can a Plaintiff file a third-party claim against a third-party Defendant for an unrelated transaction?
No. A plaintiff may file a third-party claim against a third-party defendant, but the claim must fall under the court’s jurisdiction and relate to the same transaction or occurrence as the original complaint.
How does a court decide on the extension of discovery when there is a challenge for a party to produce due to technical difficulties or elevated costs?
limits if the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefit.
The court limits the frequency or extent of discovery otherwise allowed by the rules if it determines, in its discretion, that the burden or expense of the proposed discovery outweighs its likely benefit, considering the needs of the case, the amount in controversy, the parties’ resources, the importance of the issues at stake, and the importance of the discovery in resolving the issues.
If a party fails to appear at a pretrial conference or fail to comply with a discovery order by mistake, what would be the adequate type of sanction, considering that the faulty party is the Plaintiff?
If counsel or a party fails to appear, then the court may generally impose the same sanctions as those permitted for failure of a party to comply with a discovery order. If due to a mistaken belief as to the date of the pretrial conference, then the most appropriate sanction would be the least serious of the sanctions: staying further proceedings until the order is obeyed.
How many peremptory challenges is each party allowed?
Each party in a civil case is entitled to three peremptory challenges and limitless challenges for cause.
Can a judge dismiss a juror without cause?
No. An individual who has been selected to serve as a juror must participate in the verdict unless excused for good cause, such as illness, family emergency, or misconduct.
Can a case in a federal court be tried with less than 6 jurors?
Yes. A case may be tried before and a verdict returned by less than a six-member jury, if the parties so stipulate.
Can a motion for a judgment as a matter of law be made at any time before the jury renders a verdict?
No. Only once the opposing party has been fully heard on the issue.
What is the standard for a judge to grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law?
Under Rule 50(a), once a party has been fully heard on an issue at a jury trial, the court may grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law resolving the issue against a party if the court finds that there is insufficient evidence for a jury reasonably to find for that party.
Is an opening statement sufficient for allowing the other party to move for a judgment as a matter of law?
No. Under Rule 50(a), only after a party has been fully heard on an issue at a jury trial, the court may grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law resolving the issue against a party, if the court finds that there is insufficient evidence for a jury to reasonably find for that party.