NY Personal Jurisdicition Flashcards
In addition to SMJ, court must have PJ over parties to render a valid judgment.
What are the three parts of personal jurisdiction?
- Proper commencement of the action;
- Proper service of process on D (i.e., giving notice to D); AND
- Proper basis of jurisdiction over the person or property involved
How is an action commenced in NY? (3 steps)
- P files process with clerk of court (summons and notice OR summons and complaint) AND
- P purchases and index number; AND
- P serves process on D within 120 days of filing
Who is the clerk of court for a particular supreme court?
The county clerk in that county
*NOT the Supreme Court clerk*
How long does P have to serve process on D after filing with county clerk?
120 days
When may P obtain an extension of time to serve process on D?
At court discretion, P may obtain an extension to serve process on D upon P’s ex parte motion IF:
- Good cause (due diligence) OR
- The interest of justice
justifies the extension.
How can D challenge untimely service of process by P?
Make timely motion to dismiss for untimely service (court cannot dismiss sua sponte)
(If no timely motion, issue waived)
What is the difference between filing of process AND service of process?
Filing is with the court, and satisfies the SoL
Service is with D, and must occur 120 days after filing, unless an exception applies
What are the two forms of process (filing)?
- Summons and complaint
- Summons with notice
What is a “summons and complaint”?
Two separate documents:
- SUMMONS: Advises D that he’s being sued in a particular court
- COMPLAINT: P’s pleading; it specifies the transaction or occurance that us the subject of the action and lists essential elements of the cause of action
What is a “summons with notice”?
Allows P to get the action started with minimal paperwork; but will have to follow up later with a complaint
What is the difference between a summons and complaint AND a summons with notice?
If the summons is NOT accompanied by a complaint, i.e., it is a “summons with notice,” it must have sufficient notice inscribed on the summons or an attached one-page attachment.
What must the notice consist of in a “summons with notice” filing? (3 things)
“Notice” on the face of the summons or an attached one-pager MUST:
- Briefly state the nature of the action (e.g., “breach of contract”);
- Specify the type of relief being sought (damages; injunction); AND
- If damages are sought, specify the amount (UNLESS personal injury/wrongful death: then may not specify amount)
What is the exception for specifying amount of damages sought when filing by summons with notice?
Personal injury/wrongful death: May not specify the amount (to avoid media attention)
What is a naked summons?
A summons that has neither notice nor complaint.
(This is a defect of PJ, making action subject to dismissal if timely objection is made!)
Who may serve process?
Anybody who is at least 18, PROVIDED THAT that person is not a party (a party’s lawyer is okay, though)
On what day may process NOT be served?
(What is the additional gloss?)
May not serve process on:
- Sunday, AND
- Saturday, if P is a Sabbath observer and D knows it
(N.B. Service on non-Sunday holidays is okay! i.e., You can serve someone on Thanksgiving)
What is the impact of actual notice by D of service of process?
Actual notice is IRRELEVANT; the real test is whether the process server followed all proper formalities.
Service adequate if formalities observed; Service inadequate if formalities not observed, regardless of notice.
What are the five traditional methods of serving process on natural persons?
- Personal delivery to D
- Leave and mail;
- Affixing and mailing (“Nail and mail”);
- Expedient service (“Court-ordered service”); AND
- Agent specifically designated by D to receive process
What satisfies service of process by personal delivery?
Complete when process server tenders process DIRECTLY to D
(D may not refuse. If D refuses, server may leave process in D’s vicinity)
When does D’s time to respond begin after service of process?
When service is complete
What satisfies service of process by leaving and mailing?
Process may be adequately served by leaving and mailing IF:
- Process server delivers process to (i) person of suitable age and discretion (ii) at D’s actual dwelling or actual place of business AND
- P MAILS a copy of process by regular mail to D’s actual place of business or last known residence
((NOTES:
i. Both steps must occurwithin 20 days of each other;
ii. The order of mailing and delivery is irrelevant;
iii. Mailing and delivery need not be to the same location;
iv. Certified mail not needed; AND
v. The person of suitable age and discretion need not be an adult))
(ALL WITHIN 120 DAYS OF FILING)
What are the requirements for serving multiple defendants?
Each D must be served with her own separate service of process
What satisfies service of process by nailing and mailing?
[Very similar to leave and mail, except you affix process to “door” rather than deliver it to a person]
- Affix process to actual dwelling or actual place of business AND
- Mail to actual place of business or last known residence
- Process service must use due diligence (i.e., Must try personal service first, then deliver and mail, at several times and places, before resorting to nail and mail)
((NOTES:
i. Order doesn’t matter;
ii. Both steps must be within 20 days; AND
iii. Need not mail and nail to the same place.))
(ALL WITHIN 120 DAYS OF FILING)
What constitutes affixing for nail and mail service?
Rubberband/tape
(Don’t nail! …You’ll get counterclaimed for property damage)
What constitutes due diligence for nail and mail service?
Server must make (i) several attempts (ii) on different days of the week (iii) at different times of day (iv) to ascertain actual dwelling place AND actual place of business (v) to serve process in person.
What types of service require proof of service to be filed?
- leave and mail
- nail and mail
(not required for personal service)
What constitutes proof of service?
Affidavit describing details of service: Date, time, place, description of person served, due diligence if relevant
When is service complete for deliver and mail and nail and mail?
10 days after proof of service is filed
What happens if P delays filing proof of service?
P’s delay postpones D’s time to respond
(Is NOT a jurisdictional defect)
(Filing of proof need not occur within 120 days of filing)
When is expedient service available?
Expedient/Court-ordered service may be available when other methods are not practicable.
(P must obtain a court order through an ex parte proceeding.)
What satisfies service by expedient service (court-ordered service)?
Some reasonable alternative appropriate in the circumstances
(e.g., If D is impossible to reach by physical means, Court may allow service of process via PDF e-mail attachment)