MBE Weakpoints Flashcards
(179 cards)
What is a Final Judgment?
One which ends litigation on the merits (all claims are resolved) and leaves nothing for the rendering court to do but execute the judgment.(Appeal is thereby precluded from any decision that adjudicates some but not all claims in the action.)Priority: HIGH
What are the exceptions to the Final Judgment Rule?
- Rule 54(b) Exception.
- Statutory Exceptions.
- Certified Appeal Exception.
- Collateral Order Doctrine.
- Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition.
- Pendent Appellate jurisdiction.
- Certification of Class Action.
Priority: HIGH
Under the Rule 54(b) exception, when is an appeal allowed?
When:
1. The action has multiple parties or multiple claims;
2. The court directs entry of a final judgment for some of the claims or parties; AND
3. The court expressly determines that there is no just reason for delay.\
*If the above elements are NOT met, then the appeal must wait until after a final judgment for the entire case.Priority: HIGH
When may a Preliminary Injunction be issued?
- Upon notice to the adverse party; AND
- If the moving party gives security in an amount the court deems proper.\
- *The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allow the court to issue both a restraining injunction or a mandatory injunction.Priority: Medium
What must the moving party show for a Preliminary Injunction to be issued?
- Likelihood of success on the merits;
- Likely threat of irreparable harm to the movant;
- That the harm alleged by the movant outweighs any harm to the non-moving party; AND
- The injunction is in the public interest.
- Priority: Medium
What is a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), and when is it available?
An emergency remedy used to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of a hearing or application.It is ONLY available when the moving party will suffer immediate and irreparable harm.Priority: Medium
For an ex parte TRO, what must the moving party do?
- Provide specific facts in a sworn statement showing immediate and irreparable injury, injury, loss, or that damage will result before an adverse party can be heard;
- Certify in writing any efforts made to give notice to the adverse party and why notice should not be required; AND
- Give security in an amount that the court deems proper.\
- *The United States, its officers, and its agencies are not required to give security.Priority: Medium
When may a party amend a pleading as of right?In all other cases?
As of right: Within 21 days after service either of the original pleading OR a responsive pleading/pre-answer motion to the original pleading.In all other cases: With the opposing party’s written consent OR with leave of the court upon motion.Priority: Medium
When does an amendment to a pleading relate back to the original pleading?
When:* The amendment asserts a claim or defense that arose out of the same conduct, transaction, or occurrence as the original pleading allegations; OR* The law that provides the applicable statute of limitations allows the relation back.Priority: Medium
What is a Compulsory Counterclaim?
A claim that:1. Arises out of the same transaction or occurrence as the opposing party’s claim; AND2. Doesn’t require adding another party whom the court cannot acquire jurisdiction.*It MUST be stated in the party’s pleading; otherwise, it is barred in future litigation.Priority: Medium
When presenting papers to the court, what must a party certify under Rule 11?
That:1. It is not being presented for any improper purpose;2. The claims, defenses, and other legal contentions were warranted and non-frivolous;3. The factual contentions have evidentiary support or will likely have it after further discovery; AND4. The denials of factual contentions are warranted.*Sanctions may be issued for failure to comply.Priority: Medium
Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, when may multiple plaintiffs join in one action (Permissive Joinder)?
If:1. Joint and several relief is asserted by them OR the claim arises out of the same transaction or occurrence;2. A common question of law or fact to all plaintiffs exist; AND3. Subject matter jurisdiction exists for each claim.*The process is similar for multiple defendants.Priority: HIGH
A party MUST be joined in an action if that party is necessary AND joinder is feasible.When is a party necessary?
A party is necessary if:* The court cannot grant complete relief without the absent party;* The absent party has an interest in the action that would be impaired or impeded if that person is not joined; OR* The party’s absence would leave an existing party subject to a substantial risk of multiple liability or inconsistent obligations.Priority: Medium
A party MUST be joined in an action if that party is necessary AND joinder is feasible.When is joinder feasible?
When:1. Joinder will not remove subject matter jurisdiction; AND2. The court has personal jurisdiction over the necessary party.Priority: Medium
_Class Actions_When can one or more members sue on behalf of an entire class?
- The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable (numerosity);2. There are questions of law or fact in common to the class (commonality);3. The claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims/defenses of the class (typicality); AND4. The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class (adequacy of representation).Priority: Medium
_Class Actions_Once the class action requirements are met, the class will be certified when?
If:1. Risk of Inconsistent/Dispositive Adjudications – when separate actions would create a risk of (i) inconsistent adjudications for other class members, or (ii) harm the interests of absent class members;2. Declaratory/Injunctive Relief – the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds that apply generally to the class so that injunctive or declaratory relief would be appropriate to the class as a whole; OR3. Predominance & Superiority – common questions of law or fact to the class members predominate over any questions affecting individual members and a class action is superior to other available methods to adjudicate the case.Priority: Medium
Under Rule 37(e), when may a party be sanctioned for failing to preserve ESI?
When:1. The ESI should have been preserved in anticipation of litigation;2. The party failed to take reasonable steps to preserve it; AND3. It cannot be restored or replaced through additional discovery.Priority: Medium
What does the Attorney Work Product doctrine protect?
All materials prepared by an attorney or his agents in anticipation of or during a litigation. They are protected from disclosure unless:1. A substantial need for the materials exist; AND2. A substantial equivalent cannot be obtained without undue hardship.Priority: Medium
When may a court issue sanctions with respect to Pretrial Conferences?
If a party or attorney:* Fails to appear;* Is substantially unprepared to participate;* Does not participate in good faith; OR* Fails to obey a scheduling or other pretrial order.Priority: Medium
What is the standard on a Motion to Dismiss?
The court must:1. Consider the facts in the light most favorable to the non- moving party; AND2. Determine whether there is any basis upon which relief can be granted for the non-moving party.*The court DOES NOT evaluate the merits of the case.Priority: HIGH
What are the Motion to Dismiss grounds?
- Lack of subject matter jurisdiction;2. Lack of personal jurisdiction;3. Improper venue;4. Insufficient process;5. Insufficient service of process;6. Failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted;7. Failure to join a necessary party.*Grounds 2-5 are deemed waived if not raised in the first responsive pleading or Motion to Dismiss.Priority: HIGH
When will a court grant a Motion for Summary Judgment?
When:1. There is no genuine issue of material fact; AND2. The movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.*When reviewing the motion, the court MUST view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party.Priority: HIGH
When will a motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law (JMOL) be granted?
It will be granted if:1. The non-moving party has been fully heard on an issue during a jury trial; AND2. The court finds that a reasonable jury would not have a legally sufficient basis to rule in favor of the non-moving party on the issue.Priority: Medium
What are the elements of a valid contract?
- Mutual Assent (offer and acceptance);2. Consideration; AND3. No defenses to formation.Priority: HIGH