Supplemental Jurisdiction

Question 1

What is the two step test to get a case into Federal court based on supplemental jurisdiction and where the original claim is based on federal question?

Answer 1

1. The claim must share a COMMON NUCLEUS of operative fact with the original claim
2. The claim must arise from the same TRANSACTION or OCCURRENCE

Question 2

What is the rule to get a diversity case into federal court using Supplemental Jurisdiction?

Answer 2

If the supplemental claim is based on diversity of citizenship and not a federal question, you require:

— the same common nucleus of operative fact
— the supplemental claim arises from the same transaction or occurrence
— but you can only invoke diversity to get the supplemental claim into federal court if it involves MULTIPLE plaintiffs; AND
— one of their claims does NOT meet the AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY sum.

Question 3

Once the plaintiff meets the supplemental jurisdiction requirements for either a federal question or a diversity claim, must the court hear the supplemental case along with the original claim?

Answer 3

No, the court still has discretion to decline to hear the case.