SMJ, PJ, Venue, ect Flashcards
Define Jurisdiction
A court’s power to hear and decide a case. The U.S. and state constitutions, as well as federal and state laws, grant and limit courts’ jurisdiction.
Federal Jurisdiction requires what?
SMJ and PJ
T or F, State courts almost always have the power to hear cases involving events that took place in the state where the court sits or if defendants reside in or are served with a summons and complaint in that state.
True
What are some common examples of state matters?
common state court matters: adoption, divorce, guardianship, suing a landlord or a tenant, have a consumer complaint against a contractor or repair shop, need to probate a will.
What are the three types of Federal Subject Matter jurisdiction?
- Federal Question
- Diversity Jurisdiction
- Supplemental jurisdiction
when does a claim arise as a federal question SMJ?
How is it determined?
A claim arises under federal law if the federal law provides you with a right to relief.
Determined by a judge by: considering only the true nature of the claim does not consider what the P or D says even if they attempt to pepper it with the word “federal”.
What are some examples of Federal questions or claims arising under Federal law?
i. You sue a police officer for violating a federal civil rights statute that authorizes civil damages lawsuits by persons who are unlawfully arrested.
ii. A patent owner sues an individual for manufacturing an item that violates the patent. (Federal law creates patent rights.)
iii. An owner of a small business sues a large company for violating federal antitrust laws.
When do claims NOT arise under federal law?
1 a state-created claim which requires interpretation of federal law (typically breach of contract in patent or copyright cases).
- Anticipated federal defenses are not part of the cause of action, and they do not arise under federal law.
3 . under state laws that may incorporate federal law, case is not a federal question, no federal jurisdiction.
4. (Motion to suppress
What are the requirements for Diversity SMJ?
Claims must between diverse parties and amount in controversy must Exceed $75,000
At what point is diversity assessed for purposes of SMJ?
At the time the claim is filed
how is diversity citizenship for natural citizens established?
citizens of their domicile. Domicile = place of residence + intent to remain
For purposes of SMJ, a corporation is a citizen of?
Citizens of the state where they are incorporated and the state where they have their principal place of business (“nerve center.”)
For SMJ, All other entities: (LLCs, partnerships, unions, etc.): must be citizens of ________?
citizens of every state in which a member is a citizen.
How is the amount in Controversy determined for purposes of SMJ?
Defer amount to Plaintiff’s calculation of damages UNLESS it is clear to a legal certainty that the P cannot collect that much.
If P seeks injunctive (non-monetary) relief, how is the amount in controversy (AIC) determined?
the amount in controversy (AIC) is the larger of the D’s cost of compliance, or the value of the injunction to the P.
Under what circumstances can P’s claims be aggregated? When cant they be aggregated?
Must the claims be related for purposes of aggregation?
- If amount is less than $75K and more than one claim. -claims can only be aggregated between the same P and the same D!
- multiple Ps cannot aggregate their claims!
- claims Must not be related.
T or F When a single P sues a single D, the plaintiff may join as many claims as he may have against the defendant regardless of their nature, and the value of all the claims is aggregated to determine if the amount is met.
True
T or F Multiple plaintiffs with separate and distinct claims must each satisfy the jurisdictional amount requirement.
True
For what claims are supplemental jurisdiction exercised?
Claims that are not federal questions or diversity claims, but relate to such claims (supplemental jurisdiction)
When does Supp J exist?
only exists in the situation where a lawsuit consists of more than one claim, and the federal court has valid jurisdiction (either diversity or fed Q) over at least one of the claims. (Note- Fed Q easy, Diversity is trickier).
if the federal claim and the other claims arise out of a "common nucleus of operative facts," then the court may (but does not have to) exercise supplemental jurisdiction to hear the other claims as well.
Adam, a citizen of Michigan, files a complaint against Mary, a citizen of Michigan, in federal court. The complaint consists of two counts: violation of Adam’s patent and negligence. Adam’s patent claim involves his allegation that Mary marketed and sold a product that Adam claims he holds a patent for.
Is there SMJ? If so, what kind?
Yes, Federal Question SMJ
Could the court exercise Supp J exist in the following scenario?
In addition to his patent claim, Adam wants to sue Mary for negligence the injuries Adam sustained when he slipped on an icy path on Mary’s property. This count is based on state law.
NO Even though the court has subject matter jurisdiction over the patent count (in fact, the court actually has exclusive jurisdiction over that count), the court will NOT have supplemental jurisdiction over the negligence claim because the two claims are completely unrelated.