Presentation Transcript

1. Agenda for 22nd Class Admin Handouts Name plates Review of fee shifting Intro to 2nd half of class Joinder Intro to class actions Midsemester feedback
2. Class Actions Assignment FRCP 23 Yeazell 859-61, 877-93 Questions to think about / Writing assignments Pp. 881ff. Qs 1, 2 BadCorp manipulated the price of its stock by failing to disclose information that would cause share prices to fall. Would a class action alleging violation of federal securities law against BadCorp on behalf of all shareholders who purchased stock during the period when the information was being withheld be appropriate? BadPharm supplied blood to hemophiliacs, but failed to screen adequately for AIDS. As a result, many hemophiliacs in dozens of states got AIDS and some died. Would a product liability class action against BadPharm on behalf of all hemophiliacs who contracted AIDS as a result of contaminated blood be appropriate?
3. Fee Shifting Advantages of British Rule Allows plaintiffs to bring meritorious (high probability) cases, even when litigation costs are high. See Example 11. Discourages plaintiffs from bringing frivolous (low probability) suits. See Examples 15. Disadvantages of English Rule Public interest litigation to change the law may be deterred, because it has a low probability of succeeding, even though it is not “frivolous.” Risk averse plaintiffs may not bring even meritorious suits. Example 14. Because of the way the English Rule magnifies optimism, it may discourage settlement. See Example 16. Although risk averse parties may be more likely to settle under British rule
4. Introduction to Second Half of Class First half of class -- Stages of simple lawsuit Service of process, pleading, discovery, trial, post-trial motions, appeals SJ, settlement, ADR 2nd half of course Complex litigation Multiples parties and claims -- Joinder, class actions Multiple suits– Collateral Estoppel & Res Judicata What court? Subject matter jurisdiction Federal or state court? Personal jurisdiction If state court, which state’s court? If federal court, federal court in which state? Venue – what district within a state? What law? Choice of Law If applying state law, which state’s law? Erie When apply state law in federal court in diversity case?
5. Joinder Rules start from assumption that suits may involve a single plaintiff suing a single defendant on a single claim Multiple parties and claims are allowed ONLY if explicitly permitted by a rule Proper joinder does NOT mean case properly in court, still need: Personal jurisdiction Subject matter jurisdiction Venue Note that joinder expands possible pleadings. FRCP 7 3rd party complaint Answer to counter claim Answer to cross-claim Answer to 3rd party complaint
6. Joinder of Claims Claim 1 Plaintiff Defendant Claim 2 Joinder of claims always allowed. FRCP 18(a) But judge can, in discretion, always sever. Joinder is compulsory, if arises out of same transaction or occurrence Not in FRCP, but part of res judicata If related claim is brought in later action, defendant can have the case dismissed by raising the defense of res judicata
7. Counterclaims (FRCP 13(a) &(b)) Counterclaims are always allowed. FRCP 13(a) and (b) Counterclaims are “compulsory” if they arise out of the same “transaction or occurrence” as the original claim. FRCP 13(a) If compulsory counterclaim is not asserted, cannot be asserted in separate suit Original Claim Original plaintiff Original defendant Counterclaim
8. Joinder of Parties Defendant 1 Plaintiff 1 Claim 1 Plaintiff Claim 1 Defendant Claim 2 Claim 2 Plaintiff 2 Defendant 2 Joinder of parties allowed, if claims arise out of the same transaction or occurrence AND there is a question of law or fact in common. FRCP 20 FRCP19 addresses compulsory joinder of “necessary parties,” but not part of this course
9. Crossclaims Defendant 1 Original claim 1 Original plaintiff Crossclaim Original claim 2 Defendant 2 Crossclaims are allowed only if they arise out of the same transaction or occurrence as the original action. FRCP 13(g) Crossclaimant can join unrelated claim(s). FRCP 18(a)
10. 3rd Party Claims Original claim Original Defendant 3rd party plaintiff Original plaintiff 3rd party claim 3rd party defendant 3rd party claims allowed only if 3rd party plaintiff claims that 3rd party defendant is liable to 3rd party plaintiff for some or all of liability that original defendant may owe to original plaintiff. FRCP 14(a)(1) Indemnity – Contract in which one party (e.g. parts supplier) agrees to reimburse another party (e.g. final manufacturer) for liaiblity (e.g. liability final manufacturer may incur to consumer) Contribution – Part of tort law which allows jointly liable defendants to sue one another to apportion liability Different from cross-claim, because 3rd party defendant wasn’t sued by original plaintiff
11. 3rd Party Claims (cont.) Original claim Original Defendant 3rd party plaintiff Original plaintiff 3rd party claim 3rd party defendant 3rd party plaintiff may join any claims it has against the 3rd party defendant. FRCP 18(a) 3rd party defendant can assert any counterclaim against 3rd party plaintiff. 14(a)(2)(B) 3rd party defendant can assert claim against original plaintiff, if it arises out of the same transaction or occurrence as the plaintiff’s claim against third-party plaintiff. 14(a)(2)(D) Plaintiff may assert claims against 3rd party defendant that arise out of the same transaction or occurrence as the original claim Then 3rd party defendant may then assert any counterclaims. FRCP 14(a)(3) Including permissive counterclaims, not part of same transaction or occ.
12. Joinder Questions Pp. 816 Q5 Briefly summarize Price Pp. 818ff. Qs 1-2
13. Class Actions I Class Action is super joinder device Way of joining lots of plaintiffs (or defendants) Single lawyer represents all Consent from each plaintiff not required “Class representative” is “named plaintiff” Usually chosen by class lawyer Advantages Low cost as compared to lots of individual suits Allows case to be brought where each plaintiff has stake that is too small to justify individual suit But where, in aggregate, significant wrong has been done Disadvantages Class lawyer does not always act in interest of class May be more interested in fees for self than in relief for class Large magnitude of potential liability may “coerce” defendants into settling weak claims
14. Class Actions II Class actions must be “certified” Plaintiff’s lawyer first brings regular (non-class-action) case on behalf of named plaintiff(s) Plaintiff’s lawyer then petitions judge to certify class Prerequisites for class action 1. Numerosity. Class is so large that joinder (under Rule 20) is not practical. 23(a)(1) 2. Commonality. There are questions of law or fact common to all class members. 23(a)(2) 3. Typicality. The class representative(s) have claims which are typical. 23(a)(3) 4. Adequacy. The class representative(s) can adequately represent class. 23(a)(4) Technically about parties. In reality, about class lawyers. Also, no conflicts of interest. 5. Case must fit into one of 23(b) categories See next page
15. Class Actions III 23(b) categories (b)(3). Primarily for money damages E.g. mass tort Common issues must “predominate” Class action must be “superior to other available methods for fairly and efficiently adjudicating the controversy” (b)(2). Injunctive or declaratory relief appropriate for whole class E.g. desegregation, prison conditions (b)(1). Risk of inconsistent litigation E.g. limited fund or conflicting injunctions Not very common Interlocutory appeal of certification decision. 23(f) Grant or denial Discretionary with court of appeals
16. Class Actions IV Notice and Opt-Out. 23(c)(2) Only (b)(3) requires “best notice that is practical under the circumstances” Only (b)(3) requires the class members be given the opportunity to “opt out” Settlement with court approval only. 23(e)
17. Class Action Questions Yeazell pp. 881ff. Qs 1, 2 1)BadCorpmanipulated the price of its stock by failing to disclose information that would cause share prices to fall. Would a class action alleging violation of federal securities law against BadCorp on behalf of all shareholders who purchased stock during the period when the information was being withheld be appropriate? 2)  BadPharmsupplied blood to hemophiliacs, but failed to screen adequately for AIDS. As a result, many hemophiliacs in dozens of states got AIDS and some died. Would a product liability class action against BadPharm on behalf of all hemophiliacs who contracted AIDS as a result of contaminated blood be appropriate? 
18. Introduction to Subject Matter Jurisdiction Federal courts have limited jurisdiction Can hear only cases allowed by Constitution and statute 2 principle categories Diversity Plaintiff and defendant are citizens of different states Complete diversity rules No plaintiff is citizen of the same state as any defendant Alienage One party is US citizen, other party is foreign citizen Federal question Cases arising out of federal statute or constitution
19. Class Actions I Class Action is super joinder device Way of joining lots of plaintiffs (or defendants) Single lawyer represents all Consent from each plaintiff not required “Class representative” is “named plaintiff” Usually chosen by class lawyer Advantages Low cost as compared to lots of individual suits Allows case to be brought where each plaintiff has stake that is too small to justify individual suit But where, in aggregate, significant wrong has been done Disadvantages Class lawyer does not always act in interest of class May be more interested in fees for self than in relief for class Large magnitude of potential liability may “coerce” defendants into settling weak claims
20. Class Actions II Class actions must be “certified” Plaintiff’s lawyer first brings regular (non-class-action) case on behalf of named plaintiff(s) Plaintiff’s lawyer then petitions judge to certify class Prerequisites for class action 1. Numerosity. Class is so large that joinder (under Rule 20) is not practical. 23(a)(1) 2. Commonality. There are questions of law or fact common to all class members. 23(a)(2) 3. Typicality. The class representative(s) have claims which are typical. 23(a)(3) 4. Adequacy. The class representative(s) can adequately represent class. 23(a)(4) Technically about parties. In reality, about class lawyers. Also, no conflicts of interest. 5. Case must fit into one of 23(b) categories See next page
21. Class Actions III 23(b) categories (b)(3). Primarily for money damages E.g. mass tort Common issues must “predominate” Class action must be “superior to other available methods for fairly and efficiently adjudicating the controversy” (b)(2). Injunctive or declaratory relief appropriate for whole class E.g. desegregation, prison conditions (b)(1). Risk of inconsistent litigation E.g. limited fund or conflicting injunctions Not very common
22. Midsemester Feedback