Which type of jurisdiction exists when cases can only be heard in federal court?

What is Federal Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?

A federal court has subject-matter jurisdiction over a case, it means that the court may hear or adjudicate the case. 

The process for establishing subject-matter jurisdiction is discussed below.

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When does the Federal Court have Subject-Matter Jurisdiction?

Below are the methods of establishing federal subject-matter jurisdiction in a case:

• Relevant Law: see Kokkonen v. Guardian Life Ins. Co, 511 U.S. 375, 377 (1994) (federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction; only possess power authorized by Constitution and statute).

What is Federal Question Jurisdiction?

Federal-question jurisdiction is based upon or arises out of a federal law or the US Constitution. 

For a federal district court to have subject-matter jurisdiction, the parties must demonstrate that the case regards a dispute or charge based on federal law. 

For example, suing someone for trespass is a state-law tort generally tried in a state court. 

Suing someone under a federal law, such as discrimination under the Fair Housing Act, would be a federal court action. 

Special federal courts, such as legislative and administrative courts, have special subject-matter jurisdiction to the extent of the legislative or executive authority applicable to the courts subject matter. 

The court cannot hear matters beyond the scope of that jurisdiction. 

For example, a bankruptcy court cannot adjudicate a securities law dispute.

• Relevant Law: The district court has original subject matter jurisdiction over actions involving "federal questions," those civil actions arising under the federal Constitution, federal law or treaties of the United States. See 28 U.S.C. 1331.

What is Federal Jurisdiction when the US is a Party? 

Federal courts have exclusive subject-matter jurisdiction in civil or criminal lawsuits against the United States or its representatives. 

That is, any case in which the US Government is a plaintiff or defendant, the matter can only be heard by a federal court. 

To illustrate, a federal district court would have subject-matter jurisdiction over a case in which a plaintiff sues the Federal Government for passing an allegedly discriminatory law. 

In such an action, the matter would also fall under federal-question jurisdiction, as the plaintiff is alleging that the action by the Federal Government is unconstitutional. 

What is Federal Jurisdiction in Suits Between States?

 Federal courts have exclusive subject-matter jurisdictions over civil or criminal allegations between state governments. 

This most often arises when one state sues to enjoin (stop) another state from taking actions that unduly discriminate against another state or its citizens. 

For example, State A may sue State B in federal court contesting State Bs higher sales tax rates on foreign citizens or businesses. 

What is a Federal Diversity Suits between Citizens of Different States? 

Federal courts have non-exclusive subject-matter jurisdiction in civil lawsuits between citizens of different states if certain conditions are met. 

In this situation, allowing for federal subject-matter jurisdiction prevents one party from having an unfair advantage by being subject to another state's judiciary. 

It allows citizens of different states to go to trial in federal court, even if the claims are pursuant to state law. 

The special conditions for this type of jurisdiction are as follows:

• Relevant Law: The district court also has original subject matter jurisdiction based upon "diversity of citizenship," disputes between citizens of different states where the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interests and costs. See 28 U.S.C. 1332.

What is Diversity of Citizenship? 

Parties must be from different states at the time of filing the action. 

Some federal diversity suits require complete diversity, while others require minimum diversity. 

In complete diversity cases, all plaintiffs must be citizens of different states from all defendants. 

In minimum diversity cases, only one plaintiff must be from a different state from one defendant. 

Minimum diversity is a common requirement in class actions. 

What is the Jurisdictional Amount in Diversity Suits?

Diversity suits must involve a controversy between the plaintiff and defendant valued at $75,000 or more. 

In cases with multiple plaintiffs, all plaintiff's claims combined must amount to $75,000 or more. 

For example, the court may aggregate 3 plaintiffs with $25,000 claims to establish the $75,000 amount in controversy requirement. 

If the dispute is for less than this amount, the federal court is justified in allowing individuals from different states to bring an action or remove an action to federal court to hear the suit.

Discussion Question

Do you think there is a valid justification for allowing individuals from different states to bring an action or remove an action to federal court? Does the federal court forum really mitigate any of the bias concerns with the jury? Do you think the amount in controversy of $75,000 is justified? Should plaintiffs be able to aggregate their claims to reach the $75,000 threshold? Does this create an issue if one of many plaintiffs happens to be located in the same state as the defendant?

• There is a valid justification for allowing individuals from different states to bring an action or remove an action to federal court. This is because there is an aspect of neutrality, where one will not feel that there is bias. Some would argue that changing the forum is not adequate to protect against bias; while, others would argue that it is the best the system has to offer. Some would say that the amount in controversy allows for the efficient administration of more important cases. Others would argue that all cases are important, regardless of the amount in controversy - and, thus, should receive the same procedural safeguards. There is a similar argument that withholding this option from individuals from the same state fails to provide an important procedural safeguard of due process rights.

Practice Question

Milton enters into a contract with Cara to purchase a private jet. The jet is valued at $7 million dollars in the contract. The terms of the contract state that Cara warrants that the aircraft meets all federal aviation standards. Two months after the sale of the aircraft, Milton learns that the inspection records and mechanical function tests prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration have been falsified. Milton is exploring his options for suing Cara in state and federal court. Cara is from Florida and Milton is from Mississippi. What subject-matter jurisdiction considerations exist for bringing an action against Cara in state or federal court?

• There are two potential grounds for federal subject-matter jurisdiction. First, the federal regulations at stake may warrant a claim under federal law. One would need to look to the individual provisions and determine if the falsification of records amounts to a civil action. If so, Milton could bring the federal and state law actions together in federal court. If there is no federal action available, Milton could bring the action in federal court pursuant to diversity subject-matter jurisdiction. The amount in controversy is greater than the $75K threshold and Milton and Cara are from different states.

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