Civil Procedure - Key Concepts to Remember

Question 1

Erie - Substantive vs. Procedural Issues

Answer 1

In diversity action, Erie says apply federal procedural law and state substantive law. Whether or not a rule is substantive or procedural depends on: 1) outcome determinative?; 2) federal court’s interest in applying federal rules?; and 3) will applying the federal rule result in forum shopping? (DOFIFS - Determinative Outcome, Federal Interest, Forum Shopping)

Substantive = CLEPPS / Procedural = PJ DJ V-CAM

C - Choice of law
L - Liability
E - Elements
P - Privileges
P - Proof
S - Statutes of limitation
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P - Pleadings
J - Joinder
D - Discovery
J - Jury trials
V - Venue
C - Class actions
A - Appeals
M - Motions
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DOFIFS CLEPPS PJ-DJ-V-CAM

Question 2

60(b) Motion for relief from judgement - rationale for granting

Answer 2

MISEN VAN FM

M - Mistake
I - Inadvertence
S - Surprise
EN - Excusable Neglect
V - Void judgement
A - Any other reason that justifies relief
N - Newly discovered evidence
F - Fraud
M - Misrepresentation

Question 3

Personal Jurisdiction Approach

Answer 3

Traditional Notions: 1) Consent; 2) Presence when served; 3) Domicile; and 4) Waiver.

Modern Bases: 1) Long-arm statute; and 2) Constitutionality (Contacts, Relatedness, Fair play and substantial justice)

Contacts: a) Purposeful; and b) Foreseeable.

Relatedness: a) General jurisdiction; and b) Special jurisdiction.

Fair play and substantial justice