Federal Law Quiz

A federal court has subject matter jurisdiction in the following situation:

• In all cases involving federal and state law.

• Only in cases involving certain federal statutes.

• In cases where the parties are citizens of the same state and the amount sought is over $75,000.

• In cases involving a challenge to the constitutionality of a state law on seizures of personal property.

Which of the following examples would constitute a source of U.S. law?

• The Constitution of the United Kingdom

• European continental law found in France, Italy and Germany

• Decisions by courts in prior similar cases in the same jurisdiction

• None of the above

A trial court grants a motion of summary judgment to a plaintiff. What effect does this have on the case?

• The case is dismissed, and the plaintiff cannot sue again because the court concluded that there is no factual issues to be determined at a trial.

• The case is dismissed, but the plaintiff can sue again because such a motion involves procedural deficiencies, not the merits of the case.

• The case proceeds to trial as usual.

• The plaintiff automatically wins the case.

In which case would there be personal jurisdiction over the defendant based on defendant “doing business” in a given state?

• Defendant, a NY Corporation, is sued by a resident of Alabama in an Alabama state court based on a contract made with the parties in Arkansas. The corporation has no active business in Alabama.

• Defendant, a corporation created in Arkansas, is sued by a plaintiff in Alabama based on a contract made by plaintiff and defendant in Alaska. The corporation has an active sales force in Alabama and did 15% of its total business in Alabama last year.

• Defendant, a corporation based in France, is sued in New York by the victim of a personal injury that occurred while the victim was vacationing in France.

• None of the above

After a trial for injuries from a car accident, a jury determines that D, the driver, was negligent. It orders damages to be paid to V, the victim of the accident, for a broken finger in the amount of $1 million. V missed two days of work due to the injuries resulting from the accident. V stayed at home icing his finger and watching baseball games on TV. What would be the most likely method of reducing those damages?

• The judge orders a new trial on the grounds that the damages are excessive.

• The judge lowers the damages to a reasonable amount based on a judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

• The jury determination must stand until an appeals court rules on the case.

• None of the above

What are the purposes of the discovery stage of a lawsuit?

• I only

• I and II

• II only

• I, II and III

Which of the following is the most correct statement?

• In a common law system, a court ruling becomes a binding precedent for a future similar case and cannot be overturned for any reason by the future court.

• In a common law system, a court ruling serves to decide the dispute between the parties but has limited value for future court.

• In a common law system, a court ruling is only applicable to the current case and has no impact on future cases.

• In a common law system, a court ruling is advisory and not binding.

What is the role of courts in a civil law system?

• To create new laws

• To interpret codes

• To rely on jury decisions

• To follow legislative debates

What was Ann's total purchase amount from NYCSubway.org?

• $500.00

• $1,000.00

• $1,500.00

• $2,000.00

Why did NYCSubway.org refuse to refund Ann's money?

• They claimed the CDs were fine

• They had a no-refund policy

• They believed the court had no jurisdiction

• They were out of business