Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Assignment 1: A Survey of the Civil Action; Illustrative Cases; C. 1-27, 27-34, 70-74, U.S. Const. Art. III, FR 1
Assignment 2. The Traditional Basis for Jurisdiction C. 75-86, U.S. Const. Art. IV
Personal Jurisdiction – power of the court over the individual defendant; to bind defendant to judgment
and make it enforceable over them; full faith and credit given by other states
Types of personal jurisdiction:
o In personam – against the person
o In rem – against the property; binding on the entire world so must give broad notice (ex. dispute
about the particular property; ex. action to quiet title – who has legal title over property)
True in rem – subject to minimum contacts test but unclear how rigorous this will be
Quasi in rem – claim about something else where property can be used to satisfy the judgment (ex.
Pennoyer v. Neff; judgment limited to value of the property in state – with a personal judgment, you can
attached any assets anywhere in the US to execute judgment)
Quasi in rem is essentially in personam – same minimum contacts test
Summary of Cases
o Pennoyer v. Neff – territorial jurisdiction – any state has power over people and property within
their state; no state has power over persons or property outside their borders
With property, not much change since Pennoyer on jurisdiction. But some types of
property raise questions – intangible property (debts, bank accounts – debt follows
debter Harris), Shaffner v. Heitner – Internation Shoe applies to in rem/quasi in rem
suits
o International Shoe – if claim arises out of conduct this is sufficient for personal jurisdiction =
minimum contacts - If you purposely engage in activity in a state and it is not too unreasonable,
personal jurisdiction; long arm statutes – extends personal jurisdiction outside forum state when
claim arises out of conduct and must be fair/reasonable
o Generally, corporations are not people; citizens in state where they are incorporated and
considered present in the state where they have principle place of business
o Asahi – the claim did not arise out of their actions
o Anticipation that your product will end up somewhere should be sufficient (Brennan dissent in
Asahi); is it even necessary to decide minimum contacts because clearly too inconvenient
(Stevens dissent in Asahi)
o All this leaves lower courts in state of confusion, resort back to WWVW
o Henson v. Denkla & WWVW – cannot have a contact of an action of a third party
o J. McIntyre v. Nicastro – new guidance in 2011 but no majority opinion
General – suit for any purpose
o physical presence, citizen/domiciliary, incorporated, principle place of business, consent
o Perkins is only Supreme Court case allowing general jurisdiction
o Helicopteros and Daimler are SCOTUS cases that do not allow general jurisdiction
Specific – arising directly from activities in that state
o 1. Purposeful minimum contacts with forum state out of which claim arises 2. Fair/reasonable
and not inconvenient to defendant
o International Shoe, McGee, WWVW
Individuals v. Corporations
V. Rule
VI. Conclusion and Reasoning
Affirmed. State has the power to legislate that non-residents who use its highways consent to the
appointment of a third party as agent for the service of process in that state for actions arising from use
of the highways.
o Can someone give prior notice that they do not consent to agent appointment? No, can’t opt out
of the law.
C. A New Theory of Jurisdiction
Territorial theory of jurisdiction does not readily apply to corporations
Theories of jurisdiction over corporations
o Consent – corporation could transact business in a state in which it was not incorporated only
with that state’s consent
o Presence – a corporation engaged in activity within a state established a presence there for
jurisdictional purposes
Under both theories must establish whether the corporation was “doing business”
International Shoe Co. v. Washington (US Supreme Court, 1945)
I. Parties
Washington State
International Shoe Co. – appellant
o What is a corporation? “artificial person” in contemplation of law
II. Procedural History
Special appearance – contest whether they should be there; object to jurisdiction
o Federal Rule 12b (federal special appearance rule) allows you motion to dismiss for lack of
personal jurisdiction at beginning; lose right to contest jurisdiction if do not file at the beginning
o Doctrine of forum non-convenience – forum is not good for defendant
III. Facts
Incorporated in DE, office in Missouri. Some salespeople in Washington. Showing shoes to take request
for order – only have one of each shoes (no pair). Customer makes an offer to buy the shoes. In St. Louis
offer is accepted (ie they mail shoes). Washington has unemployment compensation law. Serve
salesperson and mail copy to St. Louis.
IV. Legal Issues
Whether, within the limits of due process, the appellant (a Delaware corporation) has by its activities in
the state of Washington rendered itself amenable to proceedings in the courts of that state to recover
unpaid contributions to the state unemployment compensation fund exacted by statutes
Whether the state can exact those contributions consistently with the due process clause of the 14th
amendment
V. Rules
New test: Minimum Contact between person/corporation and state
VI. Conclusion and Reasoning
Affirmed. State has power to lay tax and subject appellant to suit to recover it. ISC came into state to do
business, and now that they are in that state they have to be responsible including unemployment tax
because they have employees there
VII. Notes and Questions
1) Why, based on Pennoyer, is it important to serve International Shoe within the state? “court may enter a
judgment against a non-resident only if the party 1) is personally served with process while within the
state, or 2) has property within the state, and that property is attached before litigation begins (i.e. quasi
in rem jurisdiction).”
With corporation, harder to know where they are compared to people. Difficult to apply Pennoyer
to corporations. Technically, corporations only exist in the state where they are incorporated (old
thinking). It’s not really presence, it’s really whether they have enough contacts with the
forum state – look at activities and whether case arises from those contacts
here, activities were systematic and continuous; large volume of interstate business; regularly in
Washington with the shoes (3 yr presence)
Can Int’l shoe be sued for any reason? No. Must arise from connection of contacts to lawsuit to
justify jurisdiction. Here, lawsuit arises from their activity in the state. Territorial connection
present but expanded – here they can tax within their territory.
Personal Jurisdiction
Specific personal jurisdiction – only jurisdiction over action that was committed – contacts with forum state
are the basis for the lawsuit
General jurisdiction – person or company has so many contacts with the state, you can sue it for claims not
related to contacts in the state (analogous to presence in the state for individuals)
o Companies like microsoft can be sued under general jurisdiction
International Shoe extends jurisdiction from Pennoyer
o First full paragraph p. 93
Statutes after International Shoe take advantage of long-arm of the law
o Some statutes are specific and others are super broad
o Due process – must have authority and the authority must be constitutional
o Long arm statutes – may have less personal jurisdiction than due process would allow to prevent
overburdening of the judicial systems; some states may try to exercise more jurisdiction that DP allows
(ie if you make a lot of money in our state someone can sue you for something that happened in another
state – this is unconstitutional)
Assignment 4. Purposeful Availment and Foreseeability. Casebook 97, 103-20; Walden v. Fiore, S. 410-13
Assignment 11. Consent, Personal Jurisdiction in Federal Court, Challenging Personal Jurisdiction. Casebook
191-200.
Introduction to Notice
Supreme Court makes the federal rules of civil procedure
Rule 4 – how you give notice (p. 13 supplement)
o Summons
Court issued summons
To deliver summons must be over 18, not party to the claim
o Service
In some states, suit commences at service. If statute of limitations is approaching,
defendant may not waive and try to wait it out [but can still be served within the time].
Statutes of limitations serve 2 functions – gives defendants repose, keep old cases
out of courts.
To serve an individual, can use state service laws (4)(e)(1) or (e)(2) deliver copy to
individual personally, leave a copy at dwelling or usual place of abode with a person of
suitable age and discretion who resides there, deliver to agent authorized by appointment
To serve a corporation (4)(e)(1) state law or (2) by delivering to officer, manager, general
agent or any other agent authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of
process
Assignment 14. Casebook 259-260, 266-282, 285-289; US Constitution Article III; 28 USC Section 1332
Assignment 17. Crossclaims and Joinder of Parties. Casebook 674-680, 683-690. FR 20, 21, 42.
Chapter 9. Joinder of Claims and Parties: Expanding the Scope of the Civil Action
Section B. Addition of Claims by Defendant
2. Crossclaims
Lasa Per L’Industria Del Marmo Societa per Azioni v. Alexander (6th Cir 1969)
I. Parties
II. Procedural History
LASA v. Alexander, Marble Int’l, Southern Builders, Continental Casualty Insurance, City of Memphis
[why sue everyone – can sue anyone who got the product]
Alexander files counterclaim against LASA
Southern files counterclaim against LASA
o These are about the contract between Alexander and LASA for the marble
Alexander files cross claim against Southern, Continental, and City of Memphis
Southern files cross claim against Alexander
Alexander (3rd party plaintiff) files 3rd party complaint against Aydelott [architect] (3rd party defendant)
o These don’t arise out of same transaction [not related to contract]
District Court dismissed the two cross-claims and third party complaint – not out of same transaction
III. Facts
New city hall in Memphis. Southern subcontracted alexander to supply and install marble, alexander
contracted with LASA [Italian] to supply the marble.
IV. Legal Issue
Do the cross claims/3rd party claim arise out of same transaction as the original claim and
counterclaims?
V. Rule
FR 13 and 14 – intended to avoid circuity of action and dispose of claims arising out of one set of facts
to be expeditious and economic. Transaction or occurrence is given broad interpretation. Must be
transaction in original claim.
VI. Conclusion and Reasoning
Reversed and remanded. There is a logical relationship between the claims and the occurrence.
Transaction is building city hall. Can separate claims under FR 42(b) if it becomes too confusing for the
jury.
VII. Notes and Questions
Note 3. Liebhauser v. Milwaukee Electric RY & Light Co. – allowed crossclaims when relief sought
was shown to involve or in some manner affect the contract, trasnaction or property that is the subject-
matter of the action. Later removed “subject matter” because crossclaims between defendants may not
impact plaintiff and therefore intrude on the plaintiffs rights.
Note 4. Danner v. Anskis – 3rd cir upheld dismissal of crossclaim because Rule 13(g) does not
authorize a plaintiff to state as a crossclaim against co-plaintiff a claim arising out of the transaction or
occurrence which is also the subject matter of their common complaint against the defendant.
D. Claims Involving Multiple Parties
1. Permissive Joinder of Parties
Ryder v. Jefferson Hotel Co. (Supreme Court of SC 1922)
Pre-FR 20 Plaintiff Joinder Rule
I. Parties
Ryders – Plaintiff
Jefferson Hotels, Bickley - Defendants
II. Procedural History
Defendant’s demurred that the several causes of action united do not affect all the parties to the action.
Overruled, defendants appeal.
III. Facts
Ryders stayed at Jefferson hotel, but in middle of the night were woken by rapping on the door. Bickley
insulted Mrs. Ryder and so they left the hotel and had to find another place to stay. Claimed that they
were injured in their reputations, credit, and business and lost of profits in sum of $10,000.
IV. Legal Issue
Does the complaint contain two causes of action that can be joined?
V. Rule
When a tort of a personal nature is committed upon two or more, the right of action must be several
unless it affects all parties to the action.
VI. Conclusion and Reasoning
Reversed. The wife’s cause of action does not affect the husband and vice versa – several injury.
o Joint v. Several – joint injury to their relationship; several – separate personal injuries
Dissent – plaintiffs were expelled from the hotel under allegation that they were not husband and wife;
denial of their relationship was offense that affected their relationship and is manifestly a joint injury.
o FR 20 would allow for them to bring suit together if arises out of some transaction or occurrence
or series of transactions or occurrences
M.K. v. Tenet (District Court DC 2002)
See prior notes
IV. Legal Issue
V. Rule
20(a)(1)(A) – transactional test - defendant’s acts and omissions pertaining to the plaintiff’s obstruction
of counsel claims are logically related events that court can regard as arising out of the same transactions
or occurrences
20(a)(1)(B) – claims must be related by common question of law or fact
VI. Conclusion and Reasoning
Grant plaintiff motion to amend and deny defendant motion to sever. Defendants acts were related to
same series of transactions because they were all employment matters and denied requests for
information and established overall pattern of policies and practices aimed at denying effective
assistance of counsel. They are related by multiple questions of law/fact such as restricting access to
records, access to counsel, and common claims under the Privacy Act.
VII. Notes and Questions
Note 4. Tanbro Fabrics Corp v. Beaunit Mills Inc. – seller and processor did not want claims
consolidate because they had different relationship to buyer and independent contracts, buyer wants
claims joined because both have common question of who is responsible for defect. They allow
consolidation because identity of duty or contract are not longer bars to joinder.
Note 5. George v. Smith – held prisoner’s claims of 8th amend violations from failing to provide
medical care, censoring mail, and mishandling application for parole could not be joined because
unrelated and did not arise out of same transaction.
Impleader
Impleader – type of joinder where can bring in 3rd party defendant who can be held liable for all
defendant’s damages
FR 14 requires 3rd party defendant (non-party) be brought in within 14 days.
Who is the “defending party” under FR 14? – original defendant (FR 14(a)); original plaintiff if
defendant brings counter-claim (FR 14(b)); 3rd party defendants
FR 14(a)(2) – 3rd party defendant must assert defenses under FR 12(b); can assert counter claims under
13(a)/(b) or cross claims under 13(g)
o If it gets to complicated, any party can move to have them separated under 14(a)(4)
In a state court where there is impleader, they will generally have subject matter jurisdiction. Federal
courts are strictly limited in subject matter jurisdiction, so if there is impleader/joinder, tends to break
down subject matter jurisdiction. May also have issue of personal jurisdiction in federal courts when
joinder.
Assignment 18. Rule 19 Joinder and Impleader. Casebook 696-713. FR 19, 14.
Supplemental Jurisdiction
Claim over which federal courts have subject matter jurisdiction joined with a claim over which federal
courts have no independent basis of subject matter jurisdiction and therefore need supplemental
jurisdiction to hear the supplemental claim (the claim over which they do not have jurisdiction)
Constitutional basis – may hear cases over which there is jurisdiction – therefore if multiple related
claims (arising from common nucleus of fact) in one case where there is some federal claim there is
jurisdiction over all claims
Statutory basis – 28 USC 1367 (a)
o Test – claims to be so related – derived from common nucleus of fact]
Codifies the constitutional basis in Gibbs
o Explicit authorization for supplemental party jurisdiction
(b) exception – no supplemental jurisdiction over persons made parties under FR 14, 19,
20, or 24 [ie Kroger] when inconsistent with 28 USC 1332 [diversity jurisdiction]
Kroger would come out the same
Finley would be opposite – not 1332 but 1331 [arising under] so (b) does not
apply and authorizes supplemental jurisdiction over the additional parties
Aldinger would also come out differently because claims in case all arising under
same common nucleus of fact under 1331
(c) discretionary exceptions – may decline supplemental jurisdiction if 1. Claim raises
novel or complex issue of state law [principles of comity – customary respect for other
sovereigns] 2. Supplemental claim substantially predominates over the claim or claims
where there was original jurisdiction 3. District court dismissed all claims over which it
had original jurisdiction 4. In exceptional circumstances there are other compelling
reasons to decline jurisdiction
o Problems with the statute
A (VA) v. B (MD) in federal court under 1332 diversity; B impleads C (VA); A cannot
amend claim to include C because diversity claim 1332 and C was brought in under FR
14.
If C is impleaded and makes counterclaim against A there is supplemental jurisdiction
but then A is required to make compulsory counter claim under FR 13 and the federal
court cannot hear this counterclaim by A
Just bc FR allows something, there also has to be federal personal and subject matter jurisdiction
Assignment 20. The Supplemental Jurisdiction Statute. Casebook 330 – 339, 343-344; 28 USC 1367.
Venue
Location of trial
Allocates cases within each judicial system (state or circuit)
Interests and convenience of parties and circumstances of the litigation
Transfer of venue occurs within one court system
Assignment 25. Modern Pleading. Casebook 553-556; 558-579. FR 2, 3, 7,8, 10, 11, 12(e), 84
Responding to Complaint
FR 12(b)(2-5) – motions to dismiss on different grounds; waive it if don’t raise it
Personal jurisdiction – can consent to jurisdiction
Subject-matter jurisdiction – can’t waive [Capron v. Noorden]; can be raised at any time
Improper venue
Insufficient process
Insufficient service of process
FR 12(b)(6)
Failure to state a claim
o Test legal sufficiency of a claim
Not illegal
Leave out element
o Challenge sufficiency of allegations
Too vague – don’t give enough notice
If motion to dismiss is denied, must respond to the complaint
FR 8(b)
(1) in responding to a pleading a party must (A) state in short and plain terms its defenses to each claim
asserted against it and (B) admit or deny the allegations asserted against it by opposing party
(5) lacking knowledge of an allegation
(3) general denial – bad because it denies everything in the complaint – need to admit to some specifics
then can generally deny everything else
Bad Denials
negative pregnant denial – denies the truth of a proposition without really denying the proposition
o ex. I deny I owe plaintiff $89,000 – are you denying that there was a lesser amount owed?
conjunctive denial – does not deny the truth of each proposition on its own
o ex. “I deny there was an affair lasting 3 years” – are you denying that there was an affair or the
length of the affair?
Must include Affirmative Defenses
8(c) – must state any avoidance or affirmative defense [enumerated but not complete list]
o avoidance – not denying allegation, just avoiding liability in some way [immunity]
o Why? Gives plaintiff notice of the claims that prevent liability.
o Defendant has burden of pleading and proving affirmative defenses by preponderance of
evidence
If defendant makes counterclaim to original claim, plaintiff must reply to the counterclaim and include any
affirmative defenses in this.
Amendments – FR 15
15(a) amendments before trial
15(b) amendments during and after trial
15(c)Amendment relates back to the date of the original pleading when:
(1)(A) – law that provides the applicable statute of limitations allows relation back (State law questions
(1)(B) – amendment asserts a claim or defense that arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence
set out – or attempted to be set out – in the original pleading
(1)(C) – changes the party or naming of the party against whom a claim is asserted if 15(c)(1)(B) is
satisfied and if, within the period provided by Rule 4(m) for serving the summons and complaint the
party to be brought in amendment by (i) received such notice of the action that will not be prejudiced in
defending on the merits (ii) knew or should have known that the action would have been brought against
it but for a mistake concerning the proper party’s identity
for defendant to get affirmative relief from plaintiff they have to make a counter claim
Statute of Limitations – must file complaint within statute of limitations or under 4(m) 120 days that can
extend statute of limitations in some cases
D. Amendments
Krupski v. Costa Crociere SPA
Krupski hurts her leg on cruise and brings claim against Costa Cruise. At this point they do not tell her
that Costa Crociere was the correct party. After statute of limitations on response they say Crociere was
correct party. Dismissed Cruise and gave Krupski leave to amend and add Crociere and then Crociere
moved to dismiss because statute of limitations expired and does not relate back under 15(c)
o Argue there was no mistake and Krupski knew about Crociere long before they amend.
o SCOTUS says no, the rule says the defendant (Crociere) knew or should have known it would be
named a defendant but for the plaintiff’s error. Focus on plaintiff’s knowledge was an error of
the lower courts.
Question is whether Crociere had notice. Probably knew or should have known they
would have been named defendants but for mistake because of corporate structure –
Cruise is marketing agent for Crociere in USA.
Mistake –the website was misleading so suing Costa Cruise was reasonable but it was a
mistake because Italian Crociere was proper defendant. Costa Cruise may have been
misleading her because they did not initially tell her Crociere was the correct defendant
until after statute of limitations expired and tried to settle. Lower court fixated in delay in
correcting defendant.
Mistake – companies with similar names both dealing with plaintiff and
understandable plaintiff would make mistake.
o SCOTUS says it doesn’t matter how long it took to amend becaues the
rule requires a mistake, which there was, and all other elements of rule
satisfied
But why didn’t she amend when Costa Cruise sent response? SCOTUS says it
doesn’t matter.
Scalia – concurs specially – doesn’t want to rely on advisory committee because
no one votes on it and we [SCOTUS] created the FR’s.
Note 1. Hypo – guy sues police department and two unknown police officers, and then after statute of
limitations he finds out the names and amends. Officers knew about the lawsuit during the 120 day
extension. Does this relate back? No, not mistake because he just didn’t know the names of the officers;
type of lawsuit does not relate back because standard of liability for police department is policy, not
responsible for rogue officers; waited a really long time to sue. Yes, purpose of rule is to allow for
correction of defendants under sympathetic circumstances.
o “Mistake” has not really been defined by SCOTUS
o In Krupski, the two companies were related. What if it was unrelated companies with similar
names? Pre-filing discovery to figure out who to sue. If you sue one, and then want to substitute
a different one, there’s not really a reason that they should know of the suit so might not fall
under the rule.
o What does it mean that you receive such notice of the action that it will not be prejudiced on the
merits and you knew or should have known it would have been brought against you if not for the
mistake?
Integrity in Pleading
Shareholder Derivative Action – party bringing suit must verify [swear it’s true] complaint [FR 23(1)]
FR 11 – general requirement for all things filed with the court
o 11(a) Someone has to sign the paper [usually attorney]
o 11(b) signature certifies that good faith basis: (1) not frivolous, (2) legal contentions are
warranted by existing law (3) factual contentions have evidentiary support or likely will after
discovery (4) denials of factual contentions are based on lack of evidence or reasonable
belief/information
o Must make inquiry “reasonable under the circumstances” - how much independent inquiry must
attorney make into their client’s story?
o 11(c) Sanctions for non-compliance are discretionary
11(c)(2) – before telling court, have to go to opposing party and say this is not based on
good faith and will move for sanctions if not corrected or withdrawn within 21 days
Scalia dissented from adoption of this rule because thought it made it “toothless”
because people can do it and if caught just withdraw without penalty
Lawyers have obligation not to file pleadings that do not have basis in law and fact