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What is Supplemental Jurisdiction? A Comprehensive Overview
Definition & Meaning
Supplemental jurisdiction refers to the ability of U.S. federal courts to hear additional claims that are closely related to an original claim, even if the court does not have the authority to hear those additional claims on their own. This legal principle allows courts to manage cases more efficiently by resolving interconnected issues in one proceeding. Supplemental jurisdiction has been part of federal law since 1990 and encompasses both ancillary claims (related to the original claim) and pendent claims (arising from the same set of facts as the original claim).
Table of content
Legal Use & context
Supplemental jurisdiction is commonly used in civil litigation, where a plaintiff may bring multiple claims against a defendant. This legal concept allows federal courts to address all related claims in one case, promoting judicial efficiency and reducing the burden on the court system. Users can often manage these claims using legal forms and templates provided by resources like US Legal Forms, which can help streamline the process of filing related claims.
Key legal elements
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: A plaintiff files a lawsuit in federal court for breach of contract against a defendant. During the proceedings, the plaintiff realizes they also have a related claim for fraud based on the same facts. The court can hear both claims under supplemental jurisdiction.
Example 2: A person sues a company for personal injuries in federal court. They may also want to include claims for emotional distress that arise from the same incident. The court can consider these additional claims together. (hypothetical example)
Relevant laws & statutes
The primary statute governing supplemental jurisdiction is 28 U.S.C. § 1367. This statute outlines the conditions under which federal courts can exercise supplemental jurisdiction over additional claims.
Comparison with related terms
Term
Definition
Difference
Ancillary Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear additional claims that are closely related to the original claim.
Often used interchangeably with supplemental jurisdiction, but specifically refers to claims that are ancillary to the main claim.
Pendent Jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear claims that are related to a federal question, even if they would not independently qualify for federal jurisdiction.
Pendent jurisdiction is a subset of supplemental jurisdiction, focusing on claims that arise from the same facts as the original claim.
Common misunderstandings
What to do if this term applies to you
If you believe supplemental jurisdiction applies to your case, consider the following steps:
Assess whether your additional claims are related to your original claim.
Consult with a legal professional to determine the best course of action.
Explore US Legal Forms for templates that can help you file your claims effectively.
If your situation is complex, seek professional legal assistance to navigate the court process.
Find the legal form that fits your case
Browse our library of 85,000+ state-specific legal templates.
It is the authority of federal courts to hear additional claims related to an original claim, even if those claims do not independently qualify for federal jurisdiction.
Yes, courts have the discretion to decline supplemental jurisdiction based on various factors.
Both ancillary and pendent claims can be included if they are substantially related to the original claim.