Understanding Federal Courts and Jurisdiction

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This comprehensive treatise offers a coherent and complete overview of the complex constitutional principles and doctrines governing the federal judicial system. In a single volume, it provides a rich discussion of Article III of the United States Constitution, which governs the federal judiciary, and explains the role of Congress in regulating the federal courts' jurisdiction. After explaining the constitutional and statutory bases for federal jurisdiction, the treatise discusses the intricate case law on the statutory procedures relevant to litigating actions in federal courts. The treatise concludes with an exploration of the important federalism problems inherent in our dual system of courts, and the interrelationship of federal and state courts.

Focusing on the relevant statutes and Supreme Court and appellate doctrine, Understanding Federal Courts and Jurisdiction covers all aspects of federal jurisdiction: justiciability, including standing, mootness, ripeness, and political questions; and the major types of federal jurisdiction, federal question and diversity, as well as the supplemental jurisdiction statute. The procedural portion of the treatise covers removal, venue, transfer of venue, personal jurisdiction in the federal courts, and multidistrict litigation. The federalism discussion includes a coherent review of the abstention doctrines, the Anti-Injunction Act, the Eleventh Amendment, the Erie doctrine, and intersystem preclusion. Understanding Federal Courts and Jurisdiction is ideal for students in the basic procedure course as well as upper division federal jurisdiction and practice courses. It also provides new and experienced federal practitioners with the basic principles and solid basis for further research.