Subject Matter Jurisdiction Flowchart

by Practical Law Litigation

A Flowchart that provides counsel with a visual guide for determining whether a US federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over a non-class action case. This Flowchart simplifies the complex jurisdictional analysis required at the outset of litigation. It helps practitioners quickly assess whether a lawsuit must be filed in federal court, must be brought in state court, or if concurrent jurisdiction allows for the case to be litigated in either forum. This Flowchart is designed to aid counsel in navigating the critical preliminary issue of subject matter jurisdiction, ensuring cases are commenced in the appropriate court from the start.