Fed. Jurisdiction Flashcards
Subject matter jurisdiction is:
Power over the CASE.
Personal jurisdiction is:
Power over the PARTIES.
What are the two main types of suits that can be heard in federal court?
- Diversity of citizenship cases (complete diversity + more than $75k in controversy; or
- Federal questions
Complete diversity rule:
No diversity if ANY P is a citizen of the same state of ANY D.
Determining citizenship of a natural person: (2 factors)
- Presence in state, AND
- Intent to make it her permanent home.
May only be domiciled in one state at a time.
When is test for diversity applied?
When case is FILED.
Determining citizenship of corporation: (2 factors)
- Citizen of state where it was incorporated; AND
- Where the principal place of business is located.
(Corps can be citizens of two states at the same time.)
HYPO: XYZ Corp (inc. in MA w/ PPB in CA) sues D (CA). Is there diversity?
NO. Because both P and D are CA citizens.
Determining a corporation’s principle place of business (PPB):
Where managers:
- Direct,
- Coordinate, and
- Control corporate activities
(Usually the HQ)
Determining citizenship of unincorporated associations: (Partnerships, LLCs, etc.)
Use citizenship of ALL the members.
Determining citizenship for decedents, minors, and incompetents:
Use THEIR citizenship, not that of their agents.
Amount in controversy rule?
Must EXCEED $75k - not counting interest ON the claim or the costs of litigation.
Aggregation:
Adding two or more claims to meet the amount in controversy requirement.
HYPO: P sues D for $40k breach of K and $50k for another unrelated claim. The amount is $90k. Why is this permissive?
It’s the aggregate of the claims b/t one P and one D.
There is no limit to the number of claims that can be aggregated by one P against one D. The claims do not have to be related.
HYPO: P sues JOINT tortfeasors X, Y, and Z for $76k. Okay?
Yes. For JOINT CLAIMS uses TOTAL value of the claims - any one of the three could be liable for the whole amount.
Federal Questions case:
COMPLAINT must show a RIGHT or an INTEREST founded substantially on FEDERAL LAW. (Claim ‘arises under’ federal law.)
Equitable relief hypo: P sues D to tear down part of his house that blocks P’s view. What two tests?
Either:
- P view: Does the blocked view decrease the value of P’s property by more than $75k?
- D view: Would it cost D more thank $75k to comply with injunction?
Federal ct exclusions (not often tested)
Divorce, alimony, child custody, probate
What is a federal question case?
COMPLAINT must show a RIGHT OR INTEREST founded substantially on a federal law.
The claim “arises under” federal law.
What must be tested on EVERY SINGLE CLAIM?
Whether it meets either diversity or FQ.
Supplemental jurisdiction. What is it for?
Can be used to get additional CLAIMS into federal court that do not meet diversity or FQ.
Supplemental jurisdiction test: Claim must share:
COMMON NUCLEUS OF OPERATIVE FACT with claim that invoked federal subject matter jurisdiction.
Test is ALWAYS met by claims that arise from the same transaction or occurrence as the underlying claim.
Limitation of supplemental jurisdiction?
P cannot use supplemental jurisdiction to overcome a lack of diversity, but CAN be used to overcome the lack of amount in controversy.
Limitation also never applies in cases taken under the FQ rule.
Non-FQ, Non-diversity claims CAN BE heard on federal ct if it meets supplemental jurisdiction test, UNLESS the claim is: (3 factors)
- Asserted by P,
- against a citizen of the same state as the P.
- In a diversity of citizenship case (not FQ), and
Who can remove case from state to federal court, and when?
DEFENDANT can remove within 30 days of SERVICE.
Also decision to remove must be unanimous among all defendants.
What cases can be removed?
Generally: cases that meet diversity or FQ
Exceptions for removing cases to federal ct on the basis of diversity: (why they cannot be removed)
- No removal if D is a citizen of the forum (in state D rule), AND
- No removal more than one year after the case was filed in state ct.
In state defendant hypo: P-GA sues D1-AL and D2-NY in Alabama ct, can D1 and D2 remove?
No, there is diversity by D1 is an in state D and therefore the case cannot be removed.
Erie Doctrine
In diversity cases federal cts must apply state substantive law.
Three steps to determining if it’s substantive law.
- Is there a fed law that conflicts with state law? Then, fed law (supremacy clause)
- Is it an easy issue? Then it’s substantive.
- First two don’t apply, then:
A. Outcome determinitive?
B. Balance of interests
C. Avoid forum shopping.
4 Examples of substantive law issues:
- Elements in claims/defenses.
- Statute of limitations
- Rules for tolling statutes of limitations
- Conflict or choice of law rules.
Tests to determine whether to use fed or state law: Outcome determinative:
Would applying or ignoring state rule affect outcome of the case?
Tests to determine whether to use fed or state law: Balance of interests:
Does either federal or state system have a strong interest in having its rule applied?
Tests to determine whether to use fed or state law: forum shopping deterrence:
If the fed ct ignores state law on this issue, will it cause parties to flock to fed ct? If so, probably apply state law.
2 basic choices when choosing venue:
P may lay venue in ANY DISTRICT WHERE:
- All Ds reside, or
2. A substantial part of the claim arose.
Human residence for venue purposes:
Where the person is domiciled.
Corporate residence for venue purposes:
All districts where it is subject to personal jurisdiction.
What two documents are necessary for service of process?
- Summons, and
2. Copy of the complaint
Who can serve process?
Any non-party who is at least 18 Y/o
2 rules for substituted service.
Must be done at Ds usual abode, and
Service must be to someone of suitable AGE and discretion WHO RESIDES THERE
4 methods of service: A WASP
Abode (substituted service) Waiver Agent Service State Methods Personal Service
Waiver of Service
Copy of waiver mailed to D w/ copy of complaint, 2 copies of waiver form, and self addressed stamped envelope. If D executes and returns to P w/i 30 days service is waived.
If D fails to return waiver form:
P has D served in a formal manner and if D does not have good cause then D will pay the cost of service.
Rule 11 applies to:
All documents (except discovery)
Rule 11 states that when an attorney signs the documents he is certifying that to the best of her knowledge and belief, AFTER REASONABLE INQUIRY: (3 things)
- The paper is not for an improper PURPOSE.
- The legal contentions are warranted by LAW (or non-frivolous argument for law change), AND
- The FACTUAL CONTENTIONS and denials have evidentiary support
Are Rule 11 Sanctions to punish or deter?
DETER.
If the opposing party violates Rule 11, can you immediately move for sanctions?
No.
How do you get Rule 11 sanctions on opposing party?
- Serve the motion on other parties, but do not file.
- Violating party has “safe harbor” for 21 days to fix the problem.
- If violating party fails to do so then the motion can be filed with the court.
How long is the “safe harbor” for Rule 11 sanctions?
21 days
What do you file to commence a civil action?
A complaint
What three things must be included in the complaint?
- Statement for grounds of SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION.
- Short and plain statement of the CLAIM, showing entitled to relief; AND
- Demand for the RELIEF sought.
What is the standard for pleading?
You must plead facts supporting a PLAUSIBLE claim. [Bell Atlantic v. TWOMBLY]
What three matters must be pleaded with even more detail? (with PARTICULARITY or SPECIFICITY)
- ***FRAUD
- Mistake
- Special damages
Special damages are:
those that do not normally flow from an event.
Under Rule 12, what are the two ways a D may respond to a complaint?
- By motion, or
2. By answer
To avoid default how long does a D have to respond? What about if formal service was waived?
Within 21 days of service of process.
If waived, then from 60 days from when P mailed waiver.