Ohio Law School 1L Study Guide for Civil Procedure
Civil Procedure is a fundamental course for any first-year law student. It focuses on the framework by which civil litigation is conducted in the United States, with particular attention to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) and relevant Ohio state rules and case law. A solid understanding of these principles is critical for the practice of law.
I. Jurisdiction and Venue
- Personal Jurisdiction: The power of a court to bring a person into its adjudicative process; jurisdiction over a defendant’s personal rights, rather than merely over property interests.
- International Shoe Co. v. Washington (1945): Established the “minimum contacts” standard for determining personal jurisdiction.
- Ohio Long-Arm Statute (Ohio R. Civ. P. 4.3): Governs the circumstances under which a court in Ohio may exercise personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant.
- Subject-Matter Jurisdiction: Legal authority of a court to hear cases of a particular type or cases relating to a specific subject matter.
- Federal Question Jurisdiction (28 U.S.C. § 1331): Federal courts have subject-matter jurisdiction over civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the U.S.
- Diversity Jurisdiction (28 U.S.C. § 1332): Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases where the parties are citizens of different states and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
- Venue: The proper or most convenient location for trial of a case.
- 28 U.S.C. § 1391: Federal venue statute, determining the correct district for filing a lawsuit.
II. Pleadings and Motions
- Complaint: The initial pleading that starts a lawsuit, requiring a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.
- Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly (2007): Established the “plausibility” standard for the sufficiency of a complaint’s factual allegations.
- Ashcroft v. Iqbal (2009): Clarified that the plausibility standard applies to all civil cases.
- Answer: A defendant’s response to the plaintiff’s complaint, including any defenses, counterclaims, or cross-claims.
- Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure (Rule 8): Sets forth requirements for the answer.
- Motion to Dismiss: A request asking the court to dismiss the case for stated reasons, such as lack of jurisdiction, improper venue, or failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
- FRCP Rule 12(b): Lists the grounds for a motion to dismiss.
III. Discovery
- Scope of Discovery (FRCP Rule 26): Parties may obtain discovery regarding any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any party’s claim or defense and proportional to the needs of the case.
- Electronic Discovery: The process of obtaining and exchanging electronic information in litigation.
IV. Pretrial Procedures
- Summary Judgment (FRCP Rule 56): A judgment entered by a court for one party against another party without a full trial.
- Celotex Corp. v. Catrett (1986): The Supreme Court clarified the standards for summary judgment, holding that the movant can meet their burden by showing that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party’s case.
V. Trial
- Jury Selection: The process of questioning and selecting a panel of jurors.
- Batson v. Kentucky (1986): Established that a party cannot use peremptory challenges to exclude jurors on the basis of race.
- Conduct of Trial: The actual proceedings in which evidence is presented and legal arguments are made before a judge or jury.
VI. Post-Trial Motions
- Motion for a New Trial (FRCP Rule 59): Asks the court to order a new trial, setting aside the judgment or verdict, because it is believed there was a serious error during the trial.
VII. Appeal
- Notice of Appeal: The document filed with the trial court to initiate the appellate process.
- Standard of Review: Determines the level of deference given by the appellate court to the decisions of the trial court.
VIII. Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel
- Res Judicata (Claim Preclusion): A final judgment on the merits by a court with jurisdiction bars the parties from re-litigating the same cause of action in a subsequent lawsuit.
- Collateral Estoppel (Issue Preclusion): Once a court has decided an issue of fact or law necessary to its judgment, that decision may preclude re-litigation of the issue in a suit on a different cause of action involving a party to the first case.
IX. Erie Doctrine
- Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (1938): A foundational civil procedure case that determined federal courts sitting in diversity apply state substantive law and federal procedural law.
- Hanna v. Plumer (1965): Clarified the application of the Erie doctrine, emphasizing the importance of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
This guide covers the key concepts and cases within the scope of 1L Civil Procedure, with specific reference to Ohio law where applicable. It’s important for students to understand both the federal and state rules, as well as the interplay between them. Engaging with practice problems, reviewing case briefs, and attending study groups can greatly enhance preparation for the final semester exam.