MY - Con Civ Flashcards
3 Situations when it makes difference if a counterclaim is COMPULSORY or PERMISSIVE ?
1) The court has no independent subject matter jurisdiction over the counterclaim
(it’s DIVERSITY not a federal question and there is no diversity);
2) the statute of limitations on the counterclaim has run;
3) D in first case (action) didn’t file a counterclaim and has now filed a claim in a separate suit against initial P.
Needs to be stated particularly (HEIGHTENED PLEADING)
Fraud, Mistake (named claims)
Work Product Doctrine R.26(b)(3)
Work Product of Attorney in Prep for Litigation
Work Product Doctrine - It IS Protected if
1) Documents gathered in prep for litigation
2) Between Atty and other parties NOT the client
Have to overcome and show to get documents
- BUT NOT mental impressions of Atty -
1) Not privileged, proportional, and relevant
2) SUBSTANTIAL NEED for the docs
3) Undue Hardship to get a substantial equivalent (someone died, the changed the road) - Reasons for Allowing Party to have it *
1) Where it is Hidden in Atty File But ESSENTIAL
2) Difficulty in getting the info yourself
Discovery Scope RULE - Only Stuff that is:
a. Not Privileged
b. Only Relevant Info
c. Must be Proportional
Voluntary Dismissal by Plaintiff
ONE FREE - Without a Court Order R.41(a)(1)(A)
( b/c you messed up) if
BEFORE Answer or motion for summary judgement
Permissive Joinder of Parties (R20)
(A) they assert any right to relief jointly arising out of STOO
(B) any question of law or fact common to all will arise in the action
Cross - Claim - against a party who is …
…on same side as you (Co-Party)
if the claim arises out of STOO that is the subject matter of
1) the original action or
2) of a counterclaim
Permissive C/C R.13(b) - does not …
arise out of STOO
Permissive C/C R.13(b) - if not raised then …
not waived and the defendant is free to bring an independent action on the claim.
Compulsory C/C R.13(a) – DOES arise…
Out of the Same Transaction or Occurrence / STOO
Compulsory C/C R.13(a) – it ____ or else it is ____
it must be RAISED in the defendant’s answer, or it is WAIVED
Defaults: R.55 Motion for Default Judgement
A NO SHOW
a. . When someone has failed to “plead” or otherwise Defend
b. NO DEFENSE PRESENTED
A Complaint needs to be
a short plain statement showing that pleader is entitled to relief
- Fair notice and grounds / basis of complaint is what is needed
1. Jurisdiction
2. Claim of facts for basis of relief
3. Relief Sought
Summary Judgment (R56)
Judge will grant if shown that there is
- > > No genuine dispute as to any material fact
- all justifiable inferences in favor of the nonmovant.
- latest is 30 days after all discovery is done
- if we don’t need to resolve a fact dispute , no reason for trial - then summary judgement (no merits balance)
Judgement as a Matter of Law - JMOL
No legally sufficient evidence to find for other party —> Standard: A reasonable jury would not have a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the
party on that issue therefore JMOL
- done at trial before jury deliberates and after if preserved / is their a dispute of fact ?
Renewed JMOL
1) MOVING party MUST have made a 1st JMOL request during trial
2) if the party previously made a motion for JMOL at the close of all the evidence (Defense rests)
3) w/in 28 days after the jury verdict
Motion for a New Trial
So long as a reasonable basis existed for the
jury’s verdict, an appellate court will not disturb the district court’s ruling on appeal.
– standard = Clearly Erroneous –
Personal Jurisdiction
Def has such minimum contacts with the state that it
- does not offend traditional notions of FAIR PLAY and SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE
a) Did they Intentionally establish contact w/ state
b) Purposeful Availment of the state’s laws / Solicited in State / accident on roadway / business
- does not offend traditional notions of FAIR PLAY and SUBSTANTIAL JUSTICE
Personal General Jurisdiction - Corp at home (2 places)
- PPB
- Where Incorp
** OR ~ The contacts are “so continuous and systematic” as to make the corporation basically “at home” thus allow any claim against a defendant provided the defendant has organized and continuous relationship **
Venue - 3 steps
- Is it the Δ’s residence?
- If multiple Δs, if they all live in the same state
~or~ - Where a substantial number of events occurred
~or~ - Fail Safe: (only if cannot get 1 or 2): Where there is personal j/d over Δ
Objections to Venue or Pers Jurisdiction:
When must be made?
If Not then?
First Responsive pleading (answer or pre-answer motion)
If not, then waived !
Order of Evaluation for a problem:
- Subject matter - b/c if none then case dead
- Personal Jurisdiction - b/c can’t pull def in
- Venue - Need right one
Venue: when in incorrect forum, Ct can?
Dismiss (indispensable party) or transfer
Subject Matter Jurisdiction: Federal Question Doctrine
Does citizenship or amount matter?
No - Citizenship is irrelevant and the amount is irrelevant
Subj. Matter Jdx - Fed question means that …
Is it Arising under Federal Law (the Constitution, laws or treaties of the US)
Subj. Matter Jdx - Diversity
>$75,000 \+ Domicile = Residence + Intent to Remain a. If leave , then it's the last one until establish a new one b. Determined When the claim is filed
Subj. Matter Jdx - Diversity - Aliens:
a. Alien w/ permanent residency = a citizen
b. A stateless alien (person stripped of citizenship) cannot be diverse