CivPro Flashcards
(56 cards)
Venue
Federal venue in civil actions is proper in (1) the district where any defendant resides, if all defendants are residents of the state in which the district is located; and (2) the district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred.
Judgement as Matter of Law standard
reasonable people couldn’t disagree on the results (same as summary judgement)
Renewed Judgement as Matter of Law standard
after losing the trial/jury verdict; raise same claim that reasonable people could not disagree on the results
New Trial Standard
(1) judgement is against the weight of the evidence
(2) new evidence not previously discoverable
(3) improper damages
(4) misconduct
Review Questions of Law
De Novo Standard of Review; includes jury instructions
Personal Jurisdiction Question
Does the defendant have such minimum contacts with the forum state so jurisdiction does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantive justice
List main factors for personal jurisdiction
(1) Minimum Contact (purposeful availment and foreseeability)
(2) Relatedness
(3) Fairness
Minimum Contacts:
(1) Purposeful availment (voluntary act) of the forum state
(2) Foreseeable that D would be haled into court here
Relatedness
Plaintiff’s claim relates to D’s contact with the forum state. If yes: specific JDX; if no, then general JDX
general jurisdiction
D at home in the forum
if human, then where domiciled (tag jurisdiction means personal jurisdiction over where served)
if corporation, then PPB and incorporated; need to be registered to do business there and have appointed agent
If specific JDX, then
consider “fairness”
Specific Jurisdiction
D contact caused harm to P
if D substantial contact with forum, then relatedness is satisfied if claim merely relates to D forum contact
Personal Jurisdiction Fairness Factors
(1) Defendant - would be severely prejudiced and rendered disadvantaged
(2) State’s interests (forum state, protecting its citizens etc)
(3) Plaintiff interests (i.e. was injured and can’t travel)
Serve Individual Process
Individual in the US: personal service means give to D personally anywhere
Substituted Service of Process
(1) D’s usual place of abode
(2) to someone of suitable age and discretion
(3) who resides there
Intervention Definition
bringing yourself in as a third party plaintiff or defendant
Intervention Types
“Of Right”
Permissive
Intervention as of Right
(1) absentee harmed
AND
(2) interest not adequately represented by existing necessary party
Permissive Intervention
at least one common question of law, unless including it would lead to undue delay or confusion of the issues/unnecessary complications
Class Actions Requirements (General Overview)
(1) Certify it (“And” Test”)
(a) Commonality
(b) Numerosity
(c) Typicality
(d) Adequacy of Representation
(2) Type (“OR” Test)
(a) Prejudice (avoid harm to class/non-class parties bound by judgement)
(b) Injunctive/Declaratory (not seeking Damages
(c) Common Question Predominates
Class Action Certification Requirements
(a) Commonality
(b) Numerosity
(c) Typicality
(d) Adequacy of Representation
CAFA Requirements
over 100 members, diversity between any one P and any one D, any D may remove, amount in controversy aggregate 5 mil minimum
Settling a Class Action
certified class only settled with notice
Type 3 gets a second chance to opt out
Class Action Types - Rights of Each
no right to opt out of judgement in type 1 or 2. must notify type 3 in class to reasonably ID all class members - can opt out but will be bound by the judgement and can enter a separate appearance through the court