Civil Procedure Flashcards
Jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case and enter a binding judgment
2 types:
personal jurisdiction
subject matter jurisdiction
Personal Jurisdiction
the power of the court over persons or property derives from the defendant’s contacts with the court
two part analysis:
1. state long-arm statute: does the state law give power over the D?
2. federal due process: does the state’s exercise of power over the D meet the constitutional requirements?`
Ohio state statutory requirement: general jurisdiction
jurisdiction exists regardless of the D’s contacts to Ohio
- presence: as long as the D is physically present in state when served process
- domicile
- incorporation in ohio
- consent: express (through contract, appoint an agent to receive service of process in OH) implied (file a claim, appear at a proceeding and do not timely object)
Ohio: specific jurisdiction
long arm statute provides for jurisdiction over the D outside of the state if the claims asserted relate to one of the following contacts with ohio
- transacting any business in ohio
- contracting supply services in ohio
- causing tortious injury anywhere by an act or omission in ohio
- causing tortious injury in ohio by an act or omission outside of ohio
- causing injury in ohio by breach of warranty made in the sale of goods outside of ohio
- having an interest in, using, or possessing real property in ohio
- contracting to insure any person, property or risk located in ohio at the time of contracting
- living in a martial relationship in ohio
- causing (intentional) tortious injury to any person in ohio by an act outside ohio
- causing tortious injury to any person is a criminal act if:
causing tortious injury in ohio by an act or omission outside of ohio
if the defendant:
- regularly does or solicits business in ohio
- engages in any persistent course of conduct in ohio or
- derived substantial revenue from goods used or consumes or services rendered in ohio
causing injury in ohio by breach of warranty made in the sale of goods outside of ohio
if:
- the defendant might reasonably have expected the injured person to use, consume, or be affected by the goods in ohio and
- the defendant regularly does or solicits business, engages in any persistent course of conduct or derives substantial revenue from goods used or consumed or services rendered in ohio
Living in a marital relationship in ohio
non-withstanding any subsequent departure from ohio if
- martial relation in ohio at some time
- claim relates to marital obligations and
- one spouse still ives in ohio
causing (intentional) tortious injury to any person in ohio by an act outside ohio
if:
- the D committed the act with the purpose of injuring persons AND
- the person served might reasonably have expected that some person would be injured thereby in ohio
causing tortious injury to any person is a criminal act
if: 1)element of the crime took place in ohio and 2)the person to be served committed the criminal act or is guilty of complicity in the acts commission
federal due process requirements
does the defendant have certain minimum contacts with the forum states that the exercise of jurisdiction does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice?
contacts
evaluate the defendants contacts with the forum state on the basis of:
- purposeful availment
- relationship between the contacts and the cause of action
- forseeability that the D would get sued in this forum
fairness and federal dues process
- burden of the D of litigating in this forum
- interest of the forum
- plaintiff’s interest in litigating in this firum
general jurisdiction federal dues process
when the defendant as substantial ongoing contacts with the forum state that state may have general jurisdiction over that defendant even for actions unrelated to the D’s contacts with that state
essentially have to be “at home” for this to apply
specific jurisdiction federal due process
when the action arises from the D’s contacts with the forum state, that state may have specific jurisdiction over the defendant even though the defendant has few contacts with that state
in rem jurisdiction
an action in rem affects only property in the state that has been seized by the court prior to the action
constitutional test: is the same as in personam jurisdiction
Ohio: court of common pleas
Always has
- General division
- probate division
may have
- domestic relations
- juvenille court
the ct of common pleas can transfer a care to the appropriate municipal court if the claim does not exceed 1000 and the presiding judge of the municipal court concurs with the transfer
general division of the court of common pleas
original jurisdiction over all claims that exceed $500 and are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the ohio ct of claims (claims against the state)
probate division of the court of common pleas
- exclusive jurisdiction over probate and testamentary matters, actions concerning withdrawl or continuation of life sustaining medical treatment, appointment of trustees for insolvency and other such matters
- concurrent jurisdiction with the general division to hear actions concerning inter vivos trust and to issue writs of habeas corpus
domestic relations division
exclusive jurisdiction over divorce, alimony, marriage annulment, bastardy, child custody and child support
juvenile court
exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters relating to children including:
- allegations of delinquency, abuse or neglect
- determination of paternity, child custody, or child support if raised seperately from a divorce action
- habeas petitions and hospitalizations of children for mental illnesses and
- applications for consent to marry or an abortion without notification of the parents
municipal and county courts
original subject matter jurisdiction (not exclusive) over actions which :
- Territory: either the claim arose within the courts territorial jurisdiction OR the defendant resides or was served process within that territory AND
- amount in controversy does not exceed $15,000
municipal courts have limited territorial jurisdiction, it may be the city limits or a whole county
municipal court relation to the court of common pleas
exclusive jurisdiction:
the court of common please has jurisdiction over claims that exceed 15K and are not within the court of claims jurisdiction
municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction with claims over $500
Concurrent jurisdiction: over claims that exceed 500 but are less than 15000
if a counterclaim exceeding 15K is filed in municipal court the action shall be transferred to the court of common please
small claims division of municipal and county courts
claims that do not exceed 3K exclusive of interest and costs
ohio court of claims
- exclusive jurisdiction over claims doe damages against the state
- residual jurisdiction to hear counterclaims, cross claims, third party claims, and equitable claims that accompany damage claims against the state
- removal from the court of common pleas when a party asserts a damages claim against the state
subject matter jurisdiction of federal district courts
court of limited jurisdiction
1. the primary grants of federal subject matter jurisdiction are: diversity of citizenship, federal question, and US as a party
- important secondary grants of jurisdiction are supplemental and removal jurisdiction
There is NO federal subject matter jurisdiction to determine marital status, child custody, or to probate a decedents estate
diversity of citizenship jurisdiction
- basic rule: federal jurisdiction exists if two requirements are satisfied:
a) the complete diversity rule: no plaintiff is a citizen of the same state as ANY defendant
b) amount in controversy exceeds 75K
determining citizenship
- individuals: citizenship = domicile
- corporation: citizenship = state of incorporation PLUS state of principal place of business
- partnerships, unincorporated associations, and other entities citizens of each state of which one of their members/partners is a citizen
- decedent, minors and incompetents: citizenship of the decedent, minor or incompetent not the citizenship of their representative that counts
domicile
is established by the concurrence of:
- physical presence
- intent (to make home)
People only have one domicile (can only be a citizen of 1 state at a time)
changes of domicile: determine diversity at the time of filing
test for principal place of business
headquarters or nerve center where officers direct, control, and coordinate the corporation’s activities
amount in controversy federal subject matter
- over 75K, has to be a good faith allegation that the claim exceeds 75K exclusive of interests and costs. the amount requirement is satisfied unless it is clear to a legal certainty that the amount recoverable does not exceed 75K
- monetary value of on monetary claim is determined by evaluating the value of requested relief to the plaintiff or the cost of relief to the defendant
aggregating claims to reach 75K
can aggregate claims against individual defendants, but cannot aggregate claims of different defendants
Federal question jurisdiction
- the action arises under the constitution, laws, or treatises of the US
- well pleaded complaint rule: plaintiff’s claim properly pleaded, must be based on federal law. always ask: if the P enforcing a federal right?
multiple claims and subject matter jurisdiction
federal court must have jurisdiction over every claim asserted, if one claim is and one is not, try supplemental jurisdiction
supplemental jurisdiction
if a federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over one claim then it may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over any other claim that are so related that they form part of the same case or controversy
Test: do the claims arise from a common nucleus of operative fact (the same transaction of occurrence)
exception to supplemental jurisdiction
supplemental jurisdiction will not exist even if the requirements are met if
- claim A is in federal court solely on diversity jurisdiction and
- claim B is a claim
a) by the plaintiff
b) against parties other than the diverse defendant (joined parties) AND
c) assertion of claim b would be inconsistent with the complete diversity and amount in controversy requirements of the diversity statute
supplemental jurisdiction over claims asserted by the plaintiff against joined parties
requires:
- the supplemental claim must be related to a claim within the federal courts subject matter jurisdiction (common nucleus of operative fact and
- that other claim must be a federal question claim
supplemental jurisdiction over all other claims (claims asserted by anyone other than the plaintiff)
requires only that:
1. the new claim is related to the claim within the federal court;s SMJ
often applies when the D and other non-plaintiff’s assert cross claims and third-party claims
courts discretion in SMJ
the court has discretion to not hear claims within its supplemental jurisdiction if
1) the federal question is dismissed early in the proceedings
2. the state law claim is complex or
3. the state law issues would predominate substantially in the case
removal
allows the defendant to have case filed in the state court “removed” to the federal court encompassing the state court in which originally filed
Generally test: removable if case could have been maintained in federal court
exceptions in diversity cases: no removal if any D is a citizen of the forum state
only defendantS can remove
removal time limit
Time limit: Diversity cases cannot be removed more than 1 year after the case was filed in state court
procedure for removal
D files notice of removal in federal court, stating grounds of removal and attaching the documents served on the D in the state action
Timing: must remove within 30 days of case becoming removable
no removal for diversity more than one year after commencement
removal: motion to remand
a plaintiff can file a motion to remand to the state court if the P believes that removal was improper. can be based on:
- lack of SMJ: can file the motion anytime
- for other reasons: ex. defect in removal proceedings, must be filed within 30 days
venur for removal
district that geographically encompasses the state court
the erie doctrine
when the federal court exercises diversity or SMJ, they must apply the substantive law of the state in which they sit, federal courts may nonetheless apply federal law on procedural matters.
analysis for erie doctrine
what issues are substantive and thus governed by state law and which issues are procedural?
- Fed statute conflicts with state law: apply the fed statute if it is within congress’s enumerated powers
- federal rule of civil procedure conflicts with state law: apple the FRCP if if meets the requirements for the enabling act which requires that the rule 1)regulate procedure and 2) do not abridge substantive rights
- federal judge made law conflict with state law: determine whether the law is substantive or procedural by applying one of 3 test
tests for determining whether a law is substantive or procedural
- outcome determinative: would the application of the federal law instead of the state law affect the outcome? if yes, probably substantive
- avoid forum shopping: would application of the fed law rather than the state law cause parties to choose the fed court? if yes, probably substantive
- balance of interest: does either the federal or state law have a strong interest in having its law applied?
venue
which federal district or which ohio court of common pleas?
Rules:
Diversity
1. where any defendant resides, if all reside in the same state
2. where substantial part of the claim arose
3. if none of the above, then where any D is subject to personal jursidiction
All other cases
1. where any D resides if all reside in the same state
2. where a substantial part of the claim arose
3. if none of the above, where any D is found
determining the D’s residence
- individuals: domicile
- corporation: resides in all districts which it is subject to personal jurisdiction when the case is filed
if the state has jurisdiction over corporation but corporation has insufficient contacts with any single district within the state, corporation resides in the district in the state that has the most substantial contacts
venur for ohio courts
in counties where:
- the D resides
- where the D has its principal place of business
- the D conducted activity that gave rise to the claims
- all or part of the claim for relief arose
- if the subject of the action is real property or tangible personal property then where the property is situated
- if the suit if against a public officer in his official capacity, then where the public officer maintains his principal office
- if the action is one asserting tort claims involving asbestos, silicosis, or mixed dust diseases, then only where 1) all of the exposed plaintiffs reside 2)where all of the exposed plaintiffs were exposed or 3)where the defendant has its principal place of business
- where the plaintiff resides if either 1)the action requires out of state service pursuant to rule 4.3 or 2) the action is for divorce, annulment or legal separation and the P has been a resident of that county for at least 90 days
- if no venue is proper under the provisions above then where the P resides, has his principal place of business or regularly conducts business activity
- if no venue is proper under the provisions above then 1)where the D has property or debts subject to garnishment or 2) where the D has appointed an agent to receive service
venue for multiple parties and claims
if venue is proper to one claim and party, then it is proper to all properly joined parties
federal court-transfer of venue
from one federal district court to one where the case could have been brought originally
1. when original venue is proper: court may transfer to another federal court based on 1) convenience to the parties 2) convenience of the witnesses and 3) interest of justice
- when the original venue is not proper: can transfer in the interest of justice or may dismiss
ohio courts transfer of venue
- when original venue is proper: when an fair and impartial trial cannot be had in a county, the court may transfer to an adjoining county
- when venue is improper: court shall transfer to a proper venue upon timely motion, costs may be assessed
forum non conveniens
common law: court may in its discretion decline jurisdition in deference to another forum based on such factors as relative ease of access to proof, availability of compulsory process, cost of obtaining attendance of witnesses, administrative difficulties etc
ohio rule 3(D)
grounds: the court finds
1. county is improper forum
2. there is no proper forum in ohio
3. there is a proper venue somewhere else
procedure: court shall stay the action upon the condition that defendant consent to jurisdiction, waive venue, and waive statute of limitation defenses
upon receiving notice that the P has recommenced the action in the out of state forum within 60 days the court shall dismiss the action
service of process
delivery of a summons and complaint. the court must have jurisdiction over the party served
two part test:
1. statutory rule and requirements
2. due process requirements (notice must be reasonably calculated under the circumstances to apprize interested parties of the pendency of the action
individual notice by mail
is probably the minimum allowed if the plaintiff knows or has reasonable access to the names and addresses of the Defendants
what to send with service
- the summons and complaint
- a request for waiver of service
- a waiver of service form
- pre-paid return envelope
incentives for D to waive servie
- if D waives service he has 60 days from filing complaints mailing to answer
- if D without reason does not waive service, D must pay costs plaintiff incurs making actual service
actual service
if D does not respond in 30 days the P proceeds with actual service, if the D is actually served before waiver is received, D will pay the cost
service of individuals in the US
- personal delivery: actually hand to the D or put on his body or left at usual residence with a person of suitable age and discretion who resides there.
- cannot serve a D who is in the state to be a witness for another case
- pursuant to law of the state where the district court is located
- pursuant to the law of the state where service takes place
service of corporations and associations in the US
- pursuant to the law of the state where the district court is located
- pursuant to the law of the state where service takes place
- by delivery to an officer or agent authorized to receive service
service of defendant in another country
pursuant to applicable international agreement, if none then by other suitable means
territorial limits of federal service
service outside ohio under these rules gives the federal court jurisdiction over the defendant only if the ohio long arm statute provides such jurisdiction for ohio courts UNLESS
- the bulge rule applies: defendant joint pursuant to third party or compulsory joinder rules is served within 100 miles of the courthouse
- federal statute authorizes nationwide service (statutory interpleader)
process servers
process may be served by any non-party over age 18
service of individuals in ohio courts
- person to be served: service of process upon the following types of D may be effected by delivering the process to the person designated
a) the individual is competent and over 16
b) minor: upon service of a person under 16, serve the persons guardian or the parent/caregiver residing with the child
service of corporations or LLCs in ohio
serve:
- the agent authorized to receive service
- the corporation itself by certified mail or
- an officer or a managing or general agent
an ee in the mail room can sign for service
service of a partnership in ohio
serve:
the entity via certified mail at any of its usual places of business or a partner or manager
method of service- certified mail or commercial carrier service with return receipt
- where sent: any place where service will comport with due process reasonably calculates to apprize
- to whom delivered: as long as addressed properly, service is effected upon certified delivery, even if the certified mail is delivered to and signed by someone other than the addressee
- service refused or unclaimed: if the certified mail is returned refused or unclaimed, the plaintiff must request ordinary mail service. such service then shall be deemed effective upon mailing, except previously unclaimed service that is returned for failure to deliver
personal service inside ohio
- written request required
- process server: process is generally served by the 1) sheriff of the county where the person to be served is found 2)the bailiff of the municipal court in which the action if filed 3) a non party over the age of 18 designated by the court
personal service outside of ohio
permitted only upon order of the court, court will designate a process server
residence service
upon written request service shall be effective by leaving a copy of the process and other documents at the usual residence of the person to be served with some person of suitable age and discretion residing therein
service by publication
allowed when the defendants residence is unknown and the action is one of the following
- regarding the disposition of real property
- administration or wills and trusts
- action against the corporation that failed to elect officers or
- actions against ohio resident who has left his county of residence or is avoiding service
Procedure:
- affidavit setting forth the grounds for service by publication: residence is unknown and not ascertainable with due diligence, efforts made to ascertain residence
- publication: publish notice at least once a week for 6 weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the complaint is filed. notice must list relevant names and addresses, summarize claim and demand for relief and state when the answer is due
time limits for service
Federal: filing of complaints tolls the statute of limitations, but if service is not perfected in 120 days, the court will dismiss unless the P shows good cause
Ohio: filing of complaint tolls the statute of limitations provided that process is served within 1 year of filing
service of motions, discovery, subsequent proceedings, and other documents
on attorney: serve on party’s attorney unless the court orders otherwise
1. serve by either: leaving the documents with the attorney or leaving it at the attorney’s office with a person in charge or mail it to the attorney (service is complete upon mailing)
- electronic transmission: ohio rules expressly authorize service by facsimile transmission. the federal rules authorize sending documents this way only if the person consented in writing
pleadings
documents that set forth the parties claims and defenses
complaint
the principal pleading by the P requirements: 1. statement of SMJ (federal court only) 2. short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to relief 3. demand for relief
in Ohio if demand is for more than 25K the pleading shall state only that and not specify the amount of the claim
short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to releif
notice pleading:
1. courts have interpreted this to mean that a pleader only convey enough information to allow a meaningful response
2. not required to plead the legal theory of recovery
recent SCOTUS cases:
1. complaint must contain allegations of fact that render the asserted claim plausible on its face
2. a claim has factual plausability when the P pleads factual content that allows the court to draw reasonable inference that the D is liable for the misconduct alleged
special matters to be pleaded with particularity
- fraud: have to have the statement and who uttered it and when
- special damages: out of pocket costs
proper parties: capacity
have to have the legal capacity to sue or be sued
- individuals who are 18 years or older
- infants and incompetents: may sue or defend by a guardian or similar fiduciary
- if there is no duly appointed guardian then they sue by next friend and defend by guardian ad litem
real party in interest
every action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest except executors and administrators of estates, guardians or trustees
substitution of party
for death incompetence, transfer of interest, or change of public officer
fictitious parties
in ohio courts only
when the P does not know the name of the D, plaintiff may file the action using a fictitious name for the D
1. must have a fictitious name and a description
2. upon discovering the identity of the defendant, pleader must amend the pleading to substitute the real name and serve process on the defendant
defendant’s response: timing
pre answer motion or answer
- federal district court: within 21 days after service of process but if D waives service D can respond 60 days after the P mailed the waiver form to D
- ohio courts: within 28 days of service
rule 12 pre-answer motions
- matters of form: 12(e) motion for a more definite statement when pleading is so vague that a D cant frame a response or 12(f) pares out immaterial allegations and cheap shots at D
- rule 12(b) defenses
- pre answer motion on the merits: 12(b)(6)failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted and 12 (c) judgement of the pleadings and summary judgment
12(b) defenses
1, lack of SMJ
- Lack of PJ
- improper venue
- insufficiency of process
- insufficiency of service of process
- failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
- failure to join an indispensible party
consolidation of defenses
pre-answer motions asserting 12b defenses must be consolidated in a single pre answer motion
waiver of threshold defenses
waived if not raised in the first response
- PJ
- improper venue
- insufficiency of process
- insufficiency of service of process
the answer: timing
Federal:
- 21 days after service of process id D makes no motion
- 60 days after P mails waiver form, if D waives service
- 14 dys after a pre-answer motion
Ohio:
- 28 days after service of process
- 14 days after a pre-answer motion
contents of the answer
- 12(b)(6) defenses if not already asserted or waived
- responses to allegations of complaint
a) admit
b) deny
c) state that you lack sufficient information to admit or deny (has the effect of denial)
failure to deny constitutes an admission - affirmative defenses: listed in rule 8c include: accord and satisfaction, arbitration, assumption of the risk, contributory negligence, duress, estoppel etc
- affirmative defenses must be pleaded by the defendant, if they do not plead them, they cannot be raised later
amending pleadings: general rules
- amendments of right: Federal within 21 days after serving the pleading if no response if required or within 21 days after service of a response to the pleading
Ohio: within 28 days after serving the pleading if no response is required or before a response is served if a response is required - with the leave of court: freely granted when justice requires
amending pleadings: relation back
amendments relate back if they arise from the same conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth in the original pleadings
relation back of pleading: changing of the parties
relates back only if:
- it arises from the same conduct, transaction or occurrence set forth in the original pleading and
- within the time alloted for service of process (120 days or 1 year) the new party:
a) received such notice of the action that he will not be prejudiced in maintaining his defenses on the merits and
b) knew or should have known that but for a mistake, the action would have been brought against him
relation back of fictitious parties
when the P amends the pleading upon discovery of the D’s real name, the amendment relates back to the time the ficticious party complaint was filed provided the amendment is made and the defendant is served within one year after the original filing
Rule 11
requires attorney to sign all pleadings, written motions, and papers, and the signature certifies
1. a reasonable inquiry conducted
2. no improper purpose
3. legal contingents are warranted by law
4. facts have or will have evidentiary support
this is a continuing duty: certification is renewed every time the position is presented to the court