Civil Procedure
Personal Jurisdiction
PJA court's authority to make decisions binding on a particular defendant, based on the defendant's contacts with the forum state.
Governing rule: Due Process Clause, U.S. Const. amend. XIV
Plain-English definition
Personal jurisdiction is the constitutional and statutory power of a court to bind a particular defendant to its judgment. A court has personal jurisdiction over a defendant who is present in the state, consents, has been served there, or has 'minimum contacts' such that exercising jurisdiction would not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.
Notable cases
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International Shoe Co. v. Washington (U.S. Sup. Ct., 1945)
Established the modern minimum contacts test.
More in Civil Procedure
Amended Complaint
A revised complaint that changes, adds, or clarifies allegations, parties, or claims after the original complaint was filed.
Answer
The defendant's formal written response to the plaintiff's complaint, admitting or denying each allegation.
Class Certification
The judicial decision to allow a lawsuit to proceed as a class action on behalf of similarly-situated plaintiffs.
Collateral Estoppel
Also called issue preclusion. The doctrine that prevents re-litigating a specific issue that was actually decided in a prior case.
Complaint
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff that starts a civil lawsuit.
Consolidation
Combining related cases for coordinated management, discovery, hearings, or trial.
Counterclaim
A claim brought by a defendant against the plaintiff within the same lawsuit.
Crossclaim
A claim by one party against a co-party, such as one defendant suing another defendant in the same case.
Not legal advice. Definitions are for general reference. Consult an attorney before relying on any term in a real case.