Civil Procedure Flashcards
(104 cards)
Personal Jurisdiction
IPJ refers to the court’s ability to exercise power over a particular D, and it is traditionally based on where the party is domiciled, presence in the state when served, and consent. Most states grant immunity from IPJ to nonresidents who are parties or witnesses in a judicial proceeding, however, CA does NOT apply this immunity and IPJ may be asserted over ANYONE served in the state. Here,
Long Arm Statute
Since no traditional basis exists, the P must look to see if the state has a long arm statute that would give the court IPJ over an out of state D. A limited long arm statute gives the state jurisdiction over a defined set of actions. An unlimited long arm statute gives jurisdiction to the extent permitted by the constitution. Here,
CA Long Arm Statute
CA’s long arm statute is unlimited, giving courts the power over any person which the state can constitutionally exercise jurisdiction. Here,
Constitutional Limitations
Even if a state statute arguably grants the state court IPJ over the D, such exercise must still be constitutional. To be constitutional, there must be sufficient contacts with the forum state so as to not offend the traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
Const Limits: Minimum Contacts
Minimum contacts requires a showing of purposeful availment and foreseeability.
Const Limits: Minimum Contacts - Purposeful Availment
The courts must find that D purposefully targeted the forum by conducting activities in the forum, thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws. Here,
Const Limits: Minimum Contacts - Foreseeability
The D also must know or reasonably anticipate that her activities in the forum render it foreseeable that he may be brought into court in that state. Here,
Const Limits: Relatedness of Claim to Contact
The claim must arise from the D’s contact with the forum. This requires a showing of either specific or general jurisdiction.
Const Limits: Relatedness of Claim to Contact - Specific Jurisdiction
Specific Jurisidction will be asserted if the claim is related to D’s contacts with the forum. Here,
Const Limits: Relatedness of Claim to Contact - General Jurisdiction
Where there is no specific jurisdiction, the court will look to see if the D is “at home” in the forum because of domicile or principle place of business, or conduct makes D “essentially at home” in the forum. Here,
Const Limits: Fairness
In cases involving Specific PJ, the court will determine fairness by balancing the inconvenience to the D against the state’s interest.
Const Limits: Fairness - Inconvenience
A forum is constitutionally acceptable unless it is so gravely difficult and inconvenient that the D is put at a severe disadvantage. Relative financial burdens are not considered. Here,
Const Limits: Fairness - State’s Interest
The forum state may have a legitimate interest in providing redress for its residents. Here,
In Rem Jurisdiction
In Rem jurisdiction exists when the court has power to adjudicate the rights of ALL persons in the world with respect to a particular item of property in that forum. Here,
Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction
QIR jurisdiction exists when the court has the power to determine the rights of particular individuals with respect to specific property within the court’s control. Here,
Subject Matter Jurisidction
SMJ is the federal court’s power to hear a particular case. SMJ can either be based upon a federal questions or diversity of citizenship. Here,
SMJ - Federal Question
Federal courts have jurisdiction over claims that “arise under” federal law. The complaint must be seeking to assert a right under the constitution or federal law. Here,
SMJ - Diversity of Citizenship
Diversity of citizenship requires a showing of both complete diversity and an amount in controversy that exceeds $75k.
SMJ - Diversity of Citizenship - Complete Diversity
A P must be domiciled in a different state that ALL defendants are domiciled at the time the case if filed. Here,
SMJ - Diversity of Citizenship - Amount in Controversy
The amount in controversy must exceed $75k - good faith is required. A single P may aggregate all his individual claims against the D to reach the amount in controversy requirement. Here,
Supplemental Jurisdiction
The court has discretion to add additional claims not satisfying SMJ to an existing federal claim if the claim arises from a “common nucleus of operative fact”. However, if the underlying claim is in federal court on diversity, then plaintiff cannot use supplemental jurisdiction to overcome a lack of diversity in the additional claim. Here,
Cali - SMJ
In CA, all counties have one superior court that exercises general SMJ over civil matters not within the exclusive jurisdiction of another court. Here,
Cali - Limit Civil Case
A limited civil case is a case where the amount in controversy is $25k or less. Limited civil cases DO NOT have SMJ over equitable claims, declaratory relief actions, or requests for ancillary jurisdictions. Further, a P in a limited civil case cannot recover more than $25k. Here,
Cali - Unlimited Civil Case
An unlimited civil case is a case where the amount in controversy exceeds $25k. Unlimited civil cases allow for a full range of pleadings, motions, discovery, and equitable and declaratory relief. Here,