Civil Procedure MBE Outline

I. Jurisdiction

• Subject Matter Jurisdiction (SMJ):

• Federal Question: Arises under US Constitution/Laws.

• Diversity: Complete diversity of citizenship

• Amount in controversy > $75,000.

• Personal Jurisdiction: Minimum contacts such that the suit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.

II. Venue

• Proper where any defendant resides (if all in same state) or where a substantial part of the events occurred.

III. Joinder

• Permissive Joinder: Parties may join if claims arise out of the same transaction/occurrence and share common questions of law/fact.
• Supplemental Jurisdiction: Allows court to hear claims that do not independently meet SMJ requirements if they share a common nucleus of operative fact.