LACP Flashcards
Time Limit for Plaintiff to Serve Defendant
90 days from filing the action
Declinatory Exception of Insufficiency of Service of Process
filed by D when he was not served/insufficiency of service
Contradictory Motion to Dismiss for Failure to Request Timely Service
filed by any party when he was not served/insufficiency of service
Peremptory Grounds for Motion for New Trial
a. verdict clearly contrary to law and evidence;
b. discovery of new evidence, which could not have been discovered with due diligence before or during trial;
c. juror was bribed or compromised;
Motion for a Protective Order
used to prevent abusive discovery practices that seek non-discoverable information
prevent annoyance, embarrassment, oppression or undue burden or expense
Objections in a Deposition
- stated concisely
- stated in a non-argumentative and non-suggestive manner
- if objection is not made during deposition, objection is still preserved for trial EXCEPT: those that related to errors that could be cured if the objections were made promptly at the deposition (ex: form of the question)
Suspensive Appeal Bond Time Limit
24 hours after rendition of judgement
Types of Pleadings that Incur Lawyer’s Certification Obligations
- petition
- answer
- exceptions
- written motions
Intervention by Third Party
- third party enters lawsuit and takes lawsuit as they find it
- must be seeking to enforce a right related to or connected to object of pending suit by: joining plaintiff, joining defendant, or opposing both
Reconventional Demand
same as common law “counterclaim”
Writ of Fieri Facias (FiFa)
property in hands of 3P, such as wages and bank accounts, may be garnished through use of garnishment under writ of fifa
Procedure to File a Writ of FiFa
- file writ in parish where garnishee may be sued
- file petition for garnishment and garnishment interrogatories
- serve citation, petition, interrogatories, and notice of seizure
- garnishee has 30 days to respond to interrogatories
- court orders garnishee to deliver property
Judgement Debtor Rule
when a party believes that the debtor has the money to pay a pending money judgement
unpaid judgment creditor may serve a motion for the examination of a judgement debtor on debtor and require him to disclose assets
Witness Resides >25 Miles Away
- if within state party can still subpoena for testimony
- party must deposit funds with the clerk of court sufficient to cover:
- witness’s traveling expenses at $0.20 cents per mile
- witness fee at $25 per day
- hotel/meal fee at $5 per day
1442 Deposition
= CORPORATE DEPOSITION
- reasonable notice in writing to all parties in the lawsuit, stating:
- the time and place of the deposition and
- name of the deponent (or name company as deponent) and
- designates matters “with reasonable particularity” about which they would question a representative of the corporation
- corporation must designate one or more representatives to appear at a deposition who can answer the questions
Declinatory Exception for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction
use when the defendant wants to contest lack of personal jurisdiction
must be filed prior to or in the answer!
Service under Long Arm Statute
made by mailing citation and petition
- by certified or registered mail
OR - by actual delivery by commercial courier
Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) Petition Requirements
- assert that the party will suffer immediate and irreparable harm if injunctive relief is not granted (irreparable harm = not capable of being compensated by money damages)
- made by verified petition
- maintains statys quo
- must supply security to indemnify wrongfully restrained
Motion for a New Trial
- time limit: must be filed within 7 days, excluding holidays, from mailing or service of notice of judgement
- judge draws his own inferences and evaluates evidence without favoring either party and may evaluate credibility of witnesses
STANDARD:
- motion granted if the verdict was clearly contrary to the law and evidence
Motion for a Judgement Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV)
- time limit: must be filed within 7 days, excluding holidays, from mailing or service of notice of judgement
- judge evaluates evidence in light most favorable to opposing party
STANDARD: the facts and inferences point so strongly in favor of the moving party that reasonable persons could not find for opposing party
Motion for Additur/Remittitur
(party is unhappy with $ amount but not verdict)
used as an alternative to a new trial if the issue of quantum is clearly and fairly separable from other issues in the case
Requirements:
1. court must believe a new trial is necessary (verdict was clearly contrary to facts and evidence)
2. party adversely affected by additur/remittitur must consent
Jury’s Request to View Transcript or Records
- Records: judge may allow jury to view records, either in the courtroom or in the jury room
- Transcript: jurors must be brought into the courtroom where the court may have the testimony READ to them after giving notice to the parties
Motion for a Directed Verdict
JURY TRIAL ONLY
- made by defendant at close of plaintiff’s case based on insufficient evidence given by the plaintiff to establish a prima facie case
STANDARD: evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, points so overwhelmingly in favor of the defendant that only one result is possible
Insufficiency of Surety/Bond
if defendant’s bond is found to be insufficient or defendant’s surety is found to be insolvent, defendant may furnish a new or supplemental bond within 4 days, exclusive of holidays, to maintain an appeal
Declinatory Exception of Improper Venue
filed by defendant when plaintiff filed in improper venue
must be filed prior to or with the answer (if not, the objection to venue is waived)
Declaratory Judgement
- type of final judgment, used for determining rights before a contract has actually been breached;
- binding on everyone - may not prejudice persons not made parties to proceeding.
Declinatory Exception for Insufficiency of Service of Process
- use when service on defendant was insufficient
- must be filed PRIOR to entry of default judgement
Petition for Nullity of Judgement for Vices of Form
rendered against:
- incompetent not represented
- D not properly served and did not waive objection to jurisdiction
- one whom valid final default judgment has not been taken
- if judgment rendered by court lacking SMJ
can be brought at any time
Peremptory Exception of Prescription
filed by the defendant when the plaintiff’s cause of action has prescribed
- prescription is interrupted when the plaintiff files in a court of competent jurisdiction and venue (but if improper venue - not interrupted)
Joint Petition for Emancipation
when parent/child both have the same objective in emancipation
No service required
Petition for Emancipation Requirements
- child’s name, age, domicile, current address
- good cause for emancipation
- if limited emancipation is sought - which effects of majority are to be conferred
- descriptive list and location of minor’s property
Periodic Allowance in Succession
heir, surviving spouse, or legatee entitled to reasonable periodic allowance for maintenance, provided court finds advances are necessary and within amount eventually due to them
- heir can compel by contradictory motion
Periodic Allowance in Succession: Procedure
- heir compels payment by contradictory motion against the succession representative
- notice of the petition/motion must be published once
- any opposition must be filed within 10 days of publication
Motion for Summary Judgement
- use when a party wishes to get dismissed from a lawsuit
STANDARD: no issues of material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law
- must be supported by affidavits that show:
- affiant is competent
- based on personal knowledge
- based on facts admissible at trial
- BOP on movant, but if don’t have BOP at trial, just has to negate one element
- only documents that can be filed are pleadings, affidavits, depositions, and answers to interrogatories
Work Product Privilege
protects communications involving trial preparation or any other issues in anticipation of litigation
Options to Enforce a Foreign Court Judgement against LA Domiciliary
- can seek recognition of foreign judgment by ordinary process
-
enforcement of foreign judgments act
- annex authenticated copy of foreign judgment to ex parte petition and file affidavit at last known address of judgment debtor and judgment creditor
- clerk sends notice to debtor
- 30 days after mailing, judgment may be executed
VENUE = judgment debtor’s domicile (for both)
Contradictory Motion
both parties have the opportunity to be heard on an issue
Third Party Petition
used by a third party to add/join themselves to a case
Requirements for a Detailed, Descriptive List of Succession Property
- sworn and subscribed to by person filling it
- show location of all succession property
- set forth the FMV of each item (as of the date of death)
Requirements for a Court-Appointed Attorney for an Interdict
- represent defendant until discharged by the court
- personally visit and discuss the case with the defendant (including facts/law/rights/options for the defendant)
if attorney fails requirements, proceedings for the interdiction are not invalidated but the attorney might be subject to sanctions
Pleadings Necessary to a 102 Divorce
Plaintiff initiates an action for divorce under Civil Code Article 102 by filing and serving a petition containing allegations of jurisdiction and venue (where either party is domiciled or the last matrimonial domicile).
After the appropriate period for living separate and apart (180 or 365 days) has elapsed, plaintiff then must file a rule to show cause alleging service of the petition, passage of the requisite time period from service and that the spouses have continued to live separate and apart, verified by affidavit.
This rule to show cause is then served on the defendant or defendant’s representative, unless service is waived by the defendant.
Plaintiff then files another affidavit, executed after filing the rule, attesting that the parties have continued to live separate and apart since the filing of the petition and that plaintiff desires to be divorced.
Ways to Dismiss a Juror
- challenge for cause (anytime before the presentation of evidence, with the court able to try to rehabilitate the juror)
- peremptory challenge (no cause needed) (only before jury is confirmed)
Certifications Made by an Attorney when Signing a Pleading
= that he has read it and that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief formed after a reasonable inquiry, certifies that:
- it is warranted by existing law or by a nonfrivolous argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law
- it is not being used for any improper purpose such as to harass, delay, or increase costs
- each denial is warranted by the evidence or reasonably based on lack of information or belief
- it has or is likely to have evidentiary support
WIDE
Joinder Required When…
- no complete relief in 3P’s absence, or
- adjudication of the action in his absence may:
- impair or impede ability to protect interest
- subject to substantial risk of incurring multiple or inconsistent obligations
Class Certification Prerequisites
- numerosity – class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable;
- commonality – questions of law or fact common to the class;
- typicality – claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class;
- fair and adequate protection of interests – representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class; and
- objectively defined class – class is or may be defined objectively in terms of ascertainable criteria
PLUS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
- separate actions would create risk of inconsistency or dispositive adjudication
- defendant acted in a way applicable to the whole
- predominating questions of law or fact common to the class
- certification for purposes of settlement
Lis Pendens
- two or more suits pending in different courts concerning the same parties and the same transaction/occurrence
- all but the first case filed must be dismissed, unless defendant does not except (in which case, the first court that reaches final judgement is conclusive)
- if judgement is pending in different states, LA court can stay proceedings pending outcome of the other case
Cumulation
two or more plaintiffs or defendants may be joined to a case OR two actions of the same type are put together
Requirements:
- community of interest (some legal/factual issues) between parties joined
- each cumulated action is within the court’s jurisdiction and brought in the proper venue
- all cumulated actions are mutually consistent and employ the same form of procedure
Res Judicata
party shall assert all causes of action arising out of the same transaction or occurrence, otherwise, the causes of action are WAIVED
Exception: child/spousal support in a divorce action
Attorney’s Obligations to the Court
- decorum consistent with the dignity and authority of the court
- treat others in court with due respect
- not to interrupt opposing counsel or impede proceedings
- not knowingly encourage or produce false evidence
Forum Non Conveniens
venue is proper for a suit but court is allowed to transfer action if
- necessary for convenience of the parties, and
- in the interest of justice
if filed in plaintiff’s domicile, action can’t be transferred unless venue is improper
Notice of Lis Pendens
- notice of pendency of state/federal court action affecting immovable property
- filed in mortgage records in parish where immovable property is located
- provides notice to 3rd persons
Subject Matter Jurisdiction
legal power of a court to hear a case based on:
- object of demand
- amount in dispute, or
- value of right asserted
Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
NO JURY TRIALS
justice of the peace (<5k)
city (<15k)
parish (<20k)
no jurisdiction over:
- (1) title to immovable property
- (2) state/federal constitution issues
- (3) state or parish is defendant
- (4) divorce/alimony/separation of property
- (5) succession/interdiction
Incidental Jurisdiction of Parish/ City Courts
when parish/city court has SMJ over main demand, it may exercise incidental jurisdiction over an incidental demand
Exception: where there is a compulsory reconvention demand that exceeds parish/city court jurisdiction, court must transfer
Personal Jurisdiction
legal power of a court to render a personal judgment against a party
Types:
- service of process on defendant or agent
- service of process on an atty at law or “curator ad hoc”
- court appointed atty for: nonresident or absentee not served with process or minor or incompetent with no representative
- consent to jurisdiction
- long arm jurisdiction* – authorizes pjx over nonresidents based on certain acts or omissions in the state
Consent to Jurisdiction
defendant can either submit to court’s jurisdiction or fail to file timely declinatory exception for lack of personal jurisdiction
In Rem Jurisdiction
- legal power of a court to enforce a right in, to, or against property in LA
- applies to movable, immovable, corporeal, and incorporeal property
Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction
- legal power of a court to render a money judgment against a nonresident not subject to pjx if the action is commenced by an attachment of his property in the state
- requires satisfaction of minimum contacts test
Long Arm Jurisdiction
authorizes pjx over nonresidents based on certain acts or omissions in the state
CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS apply international shoe:
- plaintiff has the burden to prove minimum contacts (defendant has purposefully directed activities at forum residents)
- if plaintiff proves minimum contacts, burden shifts to defendant to prove that maintenance of the suit in this forum would offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice
Specific Jurisdiction
PJ over nonresident for cause of action arising from:
- transacting business in LA
- contracting to supply services/things in LA
- causing injury/damage by offense committed by act in LA
- causing injury/damage by act/omission outside of LA if nonresident regularly solicits business in LA, engages in persistent conduct in LA, or derives substantial revenue from LA
- interest in using/possessing a real right in immovable property
- child/spousal support to a spouse domiciled in LA with whom the nonresident lived
- child support of child conceived in LA
- manufacturing product caused damage/injury in LA and if manufacturer could have foreseen that produce would end up in LA
Proper Venue for Solidary Obligors?
where venue is proper to one, venue is proper to all
Authentication of a Document via Written Discovery Mechanisms
Two ways:
- serve a request for production of documents (on a party to the action), asking for the party to produce an authentic copy
- party has to produce copy or object within 30 days of service
- serve a request for admissions, asking for party to admit or deny that it received an authentic copy of the document
- party has to respond or object within 30 days of service
Remote Deposition?
yes, by telephone or other remote means so long as either
- parties agree OR
- court orders
How to serve corporate defendant who is located out of state, no offices in state, and not registered with Secretary of State?
LONG ARM STATUTE
- either mailing the citation and petition by certified or registered mail or actual delivery to the defendant by commercial courier
- If service cannot be made by either of these methods, the court will order service to be made on an attorney at law to represent the non-resident defendant.
What must be filed after service was made on an out of state defendant?
affidavit of the individual who either:
- mailed process to defendant by certified mail with return receipt affixed to the affidavit, or
- used a commercial courier to make delivery of process, showing the name of the courier, the date, and address at which process was delivered and attached courier’s confirmation of delivery, or
- actually delivered the process to defendant
Lawsuit pending in two jurisdictions, but concluded in one?
- Declinatory Exception of Lis Pendens - has to be filed with or before the answer (waived if not)
- Peremptory Exception of Res Judicata- can be filed at any time
Service on a corporation with a registered agent by serving an employee instead?
Not allowed, service on employee only allowed if no registered agent
How to add defendant after answer has been filed?
must get leave of court to amend complaint
How to add solidary obligor defendant after claim has prescribed?
(1) relation back doctrine (relate back to date of original filing of petition if arising out of same transaction or occurrence)
- Exception: need sufficient identity of interests for added defendant to have received fair notice of the lawsuit (know/should know it would be sued as a result of original)
(2) suits against solidary obligors filed in court of competent jurisdiction and venue interrupts prescription as to all solitary obligors
Result of Denial of Class Action?
lawsuit continues between only named parties
Stricken demand for class relief?
claim may be reinstated upon a showing of good cause
Dismissal of Class Action: what is the result for class members not party to the action?
- notice of dismissal is given by publication in a newsletter in the parish where the action was filed
- prescription begins to run on class members’ claims 30 days after notice is published
a lawyer’s signature on a discovery response constitutes a certification by the lawyer of what?
that he has read the request, response, or objection and to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, after valid inquiry, that it is:
- not for any improper purpose
- warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the change of existing law
- consistent with the discovery rules
- not unreasonable, unduly burdensome, or expensive given the nature of the litigation
If a civil trial is by a jury of 6/12, how many of the jurors must concur to render a verdict unless the parties stipulate otherwise?
6 = 5/6
12 = 9/12
When can plaintiff enforce a signed judgment?
- after the time for a suspensive appeal has run, which is 30 days from the time for filing a motion for a new trial or JNOV has elapsed
(new trial or JNOV motions must be filed 7 days, exclusive of holidays, from the date of the mailing of the notice of signing of judgment)
What action may a plaintiff take to enforce a money judgment against a defendant who owns immovable property?
plaintiff must wait for tolling of time to take suspensive appeal (30 days + 7 days exclusive of holidays for JNOV and new trial motions)
- file writ fieri facias
- sheriff must:
- seize immovable property anytime within 1 year
- serve written notice of seizure on the debtor
- send Mennonite notices to those who requested them in the mortgage records
- file notice of seizure in the mortgage records
- publish notice of the sale in newspaper twice (30 days before sale, then 7 days before sale)
- immovable is appraised (bid must be at least 2/3 appraised value)
- if does not sell for at least 2/3 appraised value, second sale is held for whatever price so long as it is enough to cover costs of sale and pay off superior creditors
- sheriff distributes the proceeds paying the highest-ranking creditors first and pass the act of sale
How does a plaintiff extend the enforceability of a money judgment?
- file an ex parte motion to revive in the court in which the judgment was rendered (before it prescribes, 10 years from issuance)
- filing must also include affidavit by judgment creditor stating that the original judgment has not been satisfied
- filing of the motion interrupts the 10 year prescriptive period