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Civ Pro Outline 1
Civ Pro Outline 1
Complete Diversity
domicile rule
o Renting an apartment in another state and desiring to remain there is
sufficient to establish domicile in that state for federal diversity jurisdiction
purposes.
Domicile Rule
A person acquires a new domicile if two factors are met:
o 1. Residency in the new state AND
o 2. Intent to remain in the new state indefinitely
State citizenship for purposes of diversity jurisdiction is
determined by the parties’ domiciles
If no new domicile is acquired, the party retains her last
domicile
Domicile is determined at the time the complaint is filed
o Domicile is determined as a matter of federal law, not state law. The state of
a person’s residence is not necessarily the state of domicile for purposes of
establishing diversity jurisdiction.
Complete Diversity Rule
No party on one side of the litigation may be a citizen of the
same state as any party on the other side
State Citizenship of Corporations
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Amount in Controversy
1332 limits diversity jurisdiction to cases where the matter in controversy exceeds
the sum or value of $75,000
The sum claimed by the P controls if the claim is apparently made in good faith. It
must appear to a legal certainty that the claim is really for less than the
jurisdictional amount to justify dismissal
o There must be a legal and factual basis for a recovery of the required amount
o P has the burden of proving the AIC. The court is looking for evidence of
damages. Is there any way that a rational fact finder would be able to
determine that the case meets the required AIC is the question we must ask.
Aggregating Claims to meet AIC
o P may add together the value of any claims against a single defendant
Ex. P sues D1 for 30k for tort claim and 60k for a K claim and D2 for 40l
claim
P is allowed to add claims for D1= meets AIC, D2 does not meet AIC
o P may NOT add the value of claims against 2 separate defendants
o Co-P’s may not add the value of their claims; each P must individually have
more than $75,000 in controversy
Ex. P1 sues D for 40k and P2 sues D for 50k
P cannot add value of their claims
The Constitutional Scope of Diversity
o The constitution does NOT require:
The AIC requirement
Complete diversity
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o R: a case “arises under” federal law only when a federal law issue appears in
the plaintiff’s well-pleaded complaint (Mottley)
o A well-pleaded complaint is on the alleges only what is needed to prove the
P’s cause of action
o Application: Ask whether the P’s cause of action was created by state or
federal law
If created by federal law, the federal court has jurisdiction
If created by state law, the federal court has jurisdiction only if the
Grable test is met
P’s claim must necessarily raise a federal issue
Constitutional Scope
o a case “arises under” for constitutional purposes if the case has a “federal
ingredient”
o This “federal ingredient” may appear in the P’s claims or in the D’s answer
Well-pleaded Complaint Rule- Mottley
The rule is met when either:
1. Federal law creates the cause of action (Justice Holmes’ test)
OR
2. The P’s state law cause of action necessarily depends on
resolution of a substantial question of federal law
The substantial federal question exception- Grable
A case arises under federal law if the state law claim necessarily raises
a stated federal issue, actually disputed and substantial, which a
federal forum may entertain without disturbing any congressionally
approved balance of federal and state judicial responsibilities.
Grable says that a case arises under federal law if the state-law claim
necessarily raises a stated federal issue
The P’s claim must necessarily raise a federal issue—NOT the
D’s answer. The focus is on P’s case!
Removal Jurisdiction
Standard for Removal: Mere allegations to federal law cannot be enough to create
SMJ. Only look at P’s cause of action in order to remove.
Removal is determined at the time of removal (time the notice is filed),
so attempts to manipulate jurisdiction after that time may not work.
Procedure for Removal
Only a D may remove. The right of removal is generally decided from
the face of the pleadingsONLY look at P’s complaint.
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Existence of federal question or diversity or amount in controversy
still apply in order to remove
D files a “Notice of Removal” in federal court, and notifies the state
court and the plaintiff (§1446(d))
The case is removed to the district court that hears cases from the
area where the state action is pending.
§ 1441(b)(2): a D may not remove based on diversity if any defendant
is from the state in which the suit was brought.
When removal jurisdiction can differ from original jurisdiction:
§ 1441(b)(2): a D may not remove based on diversity if any
defendant is from the state in which the suit was brought
§ 1446 (c)(2): the notice of removal may state the AIC if P
seeks nonmonetary relief (ex. Injunction) or if the state permits
recovery in excess of the amount demanded in the complaint
o In such a case, the district court must find, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the AIC has been met.
If the case IS initially removable, D must remove within 30 days of
receiving the pleading (§1446(b))
If the case was NOT initially removable, D may remove within 30
days of the time the case becomes removable (§1446 (b))
Rule of Unanimity: All D’s must agree to removal (§1446(b)(2)(A))
Removal of multiple claims
If one claim is a diversity claim (federal jurisdiction) and the other is
claim with no federal jurisdiction then the second claim defeats the
D’s right of removal.
If one claim is a federal question claim, and there is another “separate
and independent” claim where there is no federal jurisdiction then D
may remove the whole case.
Procedure for Remand
o Can P file a motion to remand the case to state court?
§1447(c): a motion to remand the case on the basis of any defect other
than lack of SMJ must be made within 30 days after the filing of the
notice of removal under section 1445(a)
o If it remanded for lack of SMJ there is no specific time
limit
If removal does not satisfy the statutory requirements then federal
judge must remand the case to state court that it came from
Personal Jurisdiction
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History on PJ
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o Holds that a court has personal jurisdiction over any individual who is
domiciled in the state, even when they are not physically present (e.g. a
student away at college who never acquired a new domicile)
MK
Specific Jurisdiction
Specific jurisdiction exists over claims that arise out of the D’s deliberate in-state
contacts (minimum contacts) so long as the exercise of jurisdiction would be
consistent with traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
3 requirements for specific jurisdiction:
o 1. The D has contacts with the forum;
o 2. The claim arose from those contacts; AND
o 3. Personal jurisdiction is otherwise fair and reasonable
International Shoe: minimum contacts
o Jurisdiction is not based on presence and consent—now we have “minimum
contacts”—modern era
o The forum state may exercise personal jurisdiction over the corporation only
if the corporation has minimum contacts with the forum state such that the
maintenance of the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and
substantial justice.
D will be found to have minimum contacts with the state only if D has
purposely availed itself of the chance to do business in the forum state.
Shaffer v. Heitner
o The same minimum contacts analysis from international shoe must be used
for in rem jurisdiction
The D’s ownership of property in the forum is a relevant
consideration
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o Just because you have property in the forum state does not
mean it would be fair to say you have minimum contacts
with the forum.
Suits based on contractual relationship: Minimum Contacts
o The requisite minimum contacts are more likely to be found where one party
to a contract is a resident of the forum state. But the fact that one party to a
contract is a residence does not by itself automatically mean that the other
party has minimum contacts. The existence of a contract is just one factor to
look at.
o In suits relations to a contract, the minimum contacts requirement boils
down to: Reasonable anticipation:
Could the D have reasonably anticipated being required to litigate in
the forum state?
The mere fact that a product manufactured or sold by D outside of the forum state
finds its way into the forum state and causes injury there is not enough to subject D
to personal jurisdiction there. D can be sued in the forum state only if it
purposefully availed itself of the forum state, either directly or indirectly.
o But if the out of state manufacturer makes or sells a product that it knows
will be eventually sold in the forum state, this fact by itself is probably not
enough to establish minimum contacts.
5 factors to consider whether personal jurisdiction is fair:
1. The burden on the D
2. The interest of the forum state
3. P’s interest in obtaining relief
4. The interstate judicial system’s interest in obtaining the most efficient
resolution of controversies
5. The shared interest of the several states in furthering fundamental
substantive social policies
Choice of law clause: minimum contacts
o Where there is a contract between the parties to the suit, the fact that the
contract contains a choice of law clause requiring use of the forum state’s law
will also be factor (though not a dispositive one) towards a finding of
minimum contacts.
o In suits relations to a contract, the minimum contacts requirement boils
down to: Reasonable anticipation.
The “Arises out of” element
o The supreme court has not clearly defined this requirement
Evidence Test: does the D’s contact with the forum provide evidence
of an element of the underlying claim?
But for test: But for the D’s contact, would the P’s claim exist?
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General Jurisdiction
Different from specific jurisdiction:
o Specific jurisdiction: suit arises from D’s contacts with the forum
Forum can only hear claims arising from those contacts
o General jurisdiction: suit is unrelated to D’s contacts
Forum can hear ANY claims against that D
General jurisdiction= D may be sued on any claim (including claims unrelated to the
D’s contacts)
o more than minimum in-state contacts. The D’s contacts must be sufficiently
extensive that D is “essentially at home in the forum state.”
For corporations:
o Standard is typically satisfied wherever the D has
“continuous and systematic” contacts with the forum
state
For individuals:
o Standard is wherever the D is domiciled
Helicopteros: mere purchases made in the forum state even if occurring at regular
intervals, are not enough to warrant a state’s assertion of general jurisdiction (PJ)
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Transient Presence
Individuals:
o When D is voluntarily in the forum state, physical presence in a state at the
time process is served upon them satisfies traditional notions of fair play and
substantial justice, regardless of whether or not the litigation arises out of
D’s activities in the state.
a D who is voluntarily present in a particular state has a reasonable
expectation that he is subject to suit there.
Transient presence in the corporate context
o Courts have held that a P cannot obtain PJ over a corporation by serving an
officer of that company who happens to be in the forum state.
o Partnerships:
For diversity purposes: a partnership is considered to be a citizen of
every state where an individual partner is domiciled.
It is permissible for a court to have PJ over a partnership if one of the
partners is served within the forum state. (If that state is where one of
the partners is domiciled or where that partner himself is domiciled).
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Venue
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transfer/dismissal of venue:
o If venue is IMPROPER: Transfer/dismiss under 1406
Court shall dismiss, or transfer in the interest of justice and
convenience, which it almost always will be
Transfer must be to another district in the same court system (fed
to fed; FL to FL etc), and must be to a court where P could have
filed suit
o If venue is PROPER, ask whether D wants to transfer to another federal
courtCan the D transfer the case?
If yes, and D CAN transfer, then transfer under 1404
D must show:
Venue and jurisdiction would be proper in the other court
Transfer is in the interest of justice and services the
convenience of the parties
private interest factors:
1. P’s choice of forum, unless the balance of
convenience is strongly in favor of the D’s
2. D’s choice of forum
3. Whether the claim arose elsewhere
4. convenience of the parties
5. convenience of the witnesses
6. ease of access to the sources of proof
Public interest factors:
1. The transferee’s familiarity with the
governing law
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Pleading
Pleadings are the documents that begin the lawsuit and set out the parties’ basic
legal and factual assertions
The Complaint
Rule 8(a): pleading must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing
that the pleader is entitled to relief”
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For a MTD:A court must ask whether the complaint contains either direct or
inferential allegations respecting all the material elements necessary to sustain
recovery under some viable legal theory. Inferences drawn in favor of non-moving
party
P must allege the elements of the cause of action
Rule 12(f) Motion to strike
A district court may strike from a pleasing an insufficient
defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or
scandalous matter
Rule 12(e) Motion for more definite statement
Allows a party to move for a more definite statement of a
pleading to when the complaint so vague or ambiguous that the
party cannot reasonably prepare a response.
Waiver Trap
o Rule 12(g), a party that makes a motion must not make another motion
raising a defense or objection that was available to the party but omitted
from its earlier motion.
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Amending Pleadings
Changing the allegations of the complaint or answer
Rule 15
Amending WITHOUT leave of Court (do not need court’s permission):
o a party may file an amended pleading without leave (permission) ONLY once
Any second amended pleading will require leave of court (permission)
or consent of the other party.
o Rule 15(a)(1)(A)
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Amending as a matter of course is allowed if it occurred within 21
days after the pleader served the original pleading
BUT 15(a)(1)(B): exception if a responsive pleading is required:
o In cases of a complaint, which requires a responsive
pleading, after D has filed an answer OR filed a 12(b),
12(e) or 12(f) motion, the P has 21 days after either of
those two events to amend as a matter of course.
Amending WITH leave of court
o If Rule 15(a)(1) does not apply, a party may amend only with the other
party’s written consent or with leave of court. The court should freely give
leave when justice so requires
Court will NOT grant leave to amend if:
moving party is acting in bad faith
The motion was filed to delay the case
Amending the case will prejudice the other party’s ability to
prepare a response
“Relation Back”: Rule 15(c) Amending claims and defenses after the limitations
period
o Statute of limitations is tolled by (started) the filing of the complaint or
service of process (depending on the jurisdiction).
o Rule15(c)(1)(B), an amendment relates back to the original filing whenever
the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the
conduct, transaction, or occurrence set forth in the original pleading. The
determination of whether an amended complaint may relate back to the date
of the original complaint is whether the original complaint gave notice to the
defendant of the claim now being asserted.
Rule 15(a) and Rule 15(c)(1)(B) are distinct, but RELATED to each other:
o Rule 15(a) addresses when a party may amend
o Rule 15(c)(1)(B) “Relation Back” addresses how the statute of limitations will
apply to any new claims or defenses added in the amendment
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Adding parties after the limitations period/ when will amendment adding a party
“relate back”
o Rule 15(c)(1)(C) amendment adding a party will relate back:
1. Amendment arose out of conduct, transaction or occurrence
2. The party to be brought in by the amendment (prospective D)
received such notice of the action that it will not be prejudiced
AND
3. prospective D knew or should have known that the action would have
been brought against it, but for a mistake concerning the proper
party’s identity
You DO NOT look at it from the P’s view. P’s knowledge is
irrelevant. ONLY matters whether or not the D had notice of
the suit.
asks what the prospective D knew or should have known, NOT
what the P knew or should have known at the time of her
original complaint.
Rule 15(c) statute of limitations problems can arise in 2 different ways:
o When a party files a motion to amend
o When a party moves to dismiss claims that have already been added by
amendment
Joinder
Joinder of claims:
o Claims are joined when the P files a complaint with multiple causes of action
o Rule 18(a) a party may join as many claims and he wishes against an
opposing party.
Joinder of Plaintiff’s
o Multiple P’s may voluntarily join together in an action if they satisfy 2 tests:
o P’s claim against the D must:
1. arise from a single transaction, occurrence, or series of
transactions or occurrences
2. There must be a question of law or fact common to all P’s which
will arise in the action
Joinder of Defendant’s
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o If one or more P’s have a claim against multiple D’s, these D’s may be joined
based on the same 2 tests:
o Claim against the co-defendants must:
1. arise from a single transaction, occurrence, or series of transactions or
occurrences
2. There must be a question of law or fact common to all D’s which will
arise in the action
Joinder of the parties is improper under rule 20 when claims involve separate and
unrelated occurrences.
Counterclaims
Rule 13(g): a crossclaim must arise out of the same transaction or occurrence that is
the subject matter of the original claim or counterclaim
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Impleader
o Rule 14, a D may as a third party plaintiff, serve a summons and complaint
upon a nonparty (third party defendant) who is or may be liable to the D for
all or part of P’s claims against the D.
Can not join a person who is solely liable to the Pthird party MUST be
liable to the D.
Impleader: The D is saying: “even if I am legally liable, someone else
should have to pay.”
Original D, now a third party plaintiff is saying that even if he
is liable to the original P, the third party defendant (new D to
lawsuit, by impleader) should be liable as well.
IMPORTANT: if original D says “I didn’t do it, someone else did”
that is NOT impleader.
If original D is found not liable, and had already impleaded a third
party then those claims against the third party D are dismissed as
well.
o Many impleader claims are brought for contribution
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Supplemental Jurisdiction
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Discovery
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o Rule 26(b)(2)(B) now states that a party need not produce electronic data
when it is inaccessible because of undue burden or cost
Rule 36: Requests for Admissions
o Asks a party to admit the facts, how the law applies to the facts, or the
authenticity of documents
o An admission constitutes conclusive evidence for purposes of that litigation
o Often used to authenticate documents and narrow the scope of the litigation
Rule 30: Depositions: Depositions are the only way to get documents from a non-
party.
o Procedure:
Issue a notice or subpoena
Subpoena compels a 3rd non-party to appear at the deposition;
can also be used to obtain documents (subpoena duces tecum)
Organizations must designate someone to testify about info
known or reasonably available
o Content:
Formal testimony
Opposing counsel may object in a non-suggestive way, but questioning
continues
o Use:
As evidence in motions or hearings
At trial to impeach, or when a witness is unavailable
Tools for Controlling Discovery Abuse
o Rule 26(b)(2)(C) authorizes the Court to limit discovery because of undue
burden or expense
o Rule 26(c) authorizes the Court to enter a protective order because of undue
expense or embarrassment (usually sensitive info)
o Rule 37(a) allows a party to move for an order to compel discovery
o Rule 12 allows a party to narrow the scope of discovery by narrowing the
relevant claims and defenses
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In a case with connections to multiple states, which state’s law should be applied?
o The Supreme Court extended the Erie principle to conflicts questions, and
required federal diversity courts to administer the conflicts law of the states in
which they were sitting
Choice of Law and Transfer of Venue
o after a transfer, the court should apply the choice of law rules of the state in
which the case was originally filed if venue was proper prior to transfer
Transfer under 1404 = choice of law rules follow the case
Transfer under 1406 (venue improper) = choice of law rules do not follow
the case
o The federal court should apply the choice of law methodology of the state in
which it sits (Klaxon)
Ex. If a FL court would apply GA law to the dispute then a federal court
sitting in FL must apply GA law.
Federal court will apply federal procedural law
PreTrial
Voluntary Dismissal
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Summary Judgment
Summary Judgment
o Court considers only evidence that is potentially admissible at trial
o Court makes all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party, and asks
if a reasonable jury could find for the non-movant
The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows there is no genuine
dispute as to any material FACT and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter
of law.
may be PARTIAL. It MAY dispose of only certain claims or defenses,
or certain aspects of a claim or defense.
ONLY disputed facts will preclude(stop) a MSJ
Material facts
Those that might affect the outcome under applicable substantive
law
No genuine dispute
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o The court may deny the motion and enter a judgment on the jury verdict,
order a new trial, or direct the entry of judgment as a matter of law.
Jury Instructions
o Instructs the jury on the applicable law
o Given by the judge, but the parties may submit propose instructions
In considering a new trial the court asks whether the verdict “shocks the judicial
conscience.”
There is no requirement that a party move for a new trial before the case is
submitted to the jury.
Remittur: decreasing the jury verdict
Additur: the amount by which the verdict would need to be increased to be supported by
the weight of the evidence.
Preclusion
Claim Preclusion (res judicata)
o Applies to all claims that a party COULD HAVE brought in the prior
litigation
o Claim preclusion bars a claim if:
1. The claim is the same as the claim that was litigated in a previous case
Transactional Test: same claim if it arises from the same
transaction/operative facts
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