28 U.S.C. § 1359

Definition

28 U.S.C. § 1359 is a statute that prevents federal courts from exercising jurisdiction based on diversity of citizenship if any party has been improperly joined to create such jurisdiction. This section aims to uphold the integrity of the federal court system by ensuring that cases are not brought in federal court merely to take advantage of its perceived advantages over state courts, particularly when parties are manipulated for jurisdictional purposes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Section 1359 ensures that federal courts do not entertain cases where the parties have been artificially manipulated to establish diversity jurisdiction.
2. The statute is crucial in preventing 'forum shopping', where plaintiffs might seek out federal courts simply because they believe they will receive a more favorable outcome.
3. If a court finds that improper joinder has occurred under § 1359, it may dismiss the case or remand it back to state court.
4. This section underscores the importance of maintaining legitimate and honest connections between the parties and the court's jurisdiction.
5. Courts interpreting § 1359 look closely at the motives behind joining certain parties and whether they truly have a substantial connection to the case.

Review Questions

• How does 28 U.S.C. § 1359 impact the legitimacy of diversity jurisdiction claims in federal court?
  • 28 U.S.C. § 1359 plays a critical role in maintaining the legitimacy of diversity jurisdiction by ensuring that parties cannot manipulate their joinder to create such jurisdiction. The statute aims to prevent cases from being brought in federal court simply because one party seeks an advantage there, which could undermine the fairness of the judicial system. When a court finds that improper joinder has occurred, it can dismiss those parties or remand the case back to state court, thereby preserving the integrity of federal jurisdiction.
• Evaluate how fraudulent joinder relates to 28 U.S.C. § 1359 and its implications for federal versus state court proceedings.
  • Fraudulent joinder directly relates to 28 U.S.C. § 1359 as it serves as one of the key reasons why a federal court might dismiss a case for lack of proper jurisdiction. If a plaintiff adds a defendant solely to defeat diversity and create federal jurisdiction, this manipulation violates § 1359's intent. As a result, if fraudulent joinder is established, it reinforces the idea that only legitimately connected cases should be heard in federal court, thus balancing the scales between state and federal judicial authority.
• Synthesize your understanding of 28 U.S.C. § 1359 with examples of its application in case law and its broader impact on civil litigation.
  • 28 U.S.C. § 1359 has been applied in various case law contexts where courts scrutinize party joinders to ensure compliance with diversity jurisdiction rules. For instance, in cases where defendants were added merely for jurisdictional manipulation, courts have often dismissed those claims or remanded cases back to state courts, reinforcing legislative intent behind § 1359. This statute impacts civil litigation significantly by discouraging opportunistic legal strategies that could undermine judicial efficiency and fairness, prompting litigants to engage in more legitimate and straightforward claims when seeking relief in federal courts.

Related terms

Diversity Jurisdiction: The ability of federal courts to hear cases where the parties are citizens of different states, typically involving amounts over $75,000.

Fraudulent Joinder: A legal concept where a plaintiff joins a party to a lawsuit solely to defeat diversity jurisdiction, often resulting in the dismissal of that party.

Removal Jurisdiction: The procedure by which a defendant can transfer a case from state court to federal court, particularly when there is a basis for federal jurisdiction.