Bar Exam — MBE (Multistate Bar Exam)Civil ProcedureMedium
A plaintiff, a citizen of State A, filed a lawsuit in federal court in State B against a defendant, a citizen of State C. The lawsuit asserts a claim under a federal statute and also includes a state law claim for negligence arising from the same set of facts. The federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over the federal claim. Can the federal court exercise jurisdiction over the state law negligence claim?
- ANo, because federal courts can only hear state law claims if there is diversity jurisdiction.
- BYes, if the state law claim forms part of the same case or controversy under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
- CYes, but only if the state law claim exceeds $75,000.
- DNo, because state law claims must always be heard in state courts.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Yes, if the state law claim forms part of the same case or controversy under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
Supplemental jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear state law claims that arise from the same 'case or controversy' as a federal claim over which the court has original jurisdiction. This is often referred to as 'common nucleus of operative fact'.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; supplemental jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear certain state law claims even without diversity.
- C. The amount in controversy requirement applies to diversity jurisdiction, not supplemental jurisdiction for claims 'piggybacking' on a federal question claim.
- D. This is incorrect; federal courts can hear state law claims through diversity or supplemental jurisdiction.
Supplemental Jurisdiction (Federal Question)
Federal courts may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims that are so related to claims in the action within the court's original jurisdiction that they form part of the same case or controversy.
- Applies when federal court has original jurisdiction over at least one claim.
- State claim must share a 'common nucleus of operative fact' with federal claim.
- Codified in 28 U.S.C. § 1367.
Memory trick: Federal courts can 'supplement' their cases with related state claims if they're part of the 'same story'.