Free tool · Civil Procedure
Can a Federal Court Hear My Case?
A federal court can hear a case only if the Constitution and a statute give it jurisdiction. The two main routes are a federal question (the claim arises under federal law) and diversity of citizenship (every plaintiff is a citizen of a different state from every defendant, and more than $75,000 is in controversy). A related state claim can ride along under supplemental jurisdiction. Divorce, custody and probate matters are left to state courts. Enter the parties’ states of citizenship and the amount to see whether federal jurisdiction exists.
Tool · Federal Jurisdiction Checker
The federal court probably has subject-matter jurisdiction.
Complete diversity (28 U.S.C. § 1332): Every plaintiff is a citizen of a different state from every defendant (or the parties include a citizen of a state and a foreign citizen).
Amount in controversy over $75,000: The amount claimed in good faith exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. A plaintiff can add up all of their claims against one defendant.
- Subject-matter jurisdiction cannot be waived or conferred by consent, and a court must dismiss if it is lacking at any stage. Personal jurisdiction and venue are separate questions.
Checks whether a federal court has subject-matter jurisdiction: a federal question, or diversity of citizenship with more than $75,000 in controversy, with the supplemental, removal and domestic-relations rules. Enter the state of citizenship of every plaintiff and every defendant, separated by commas. Simplified federal rules; a teaching aid, not a prediction and not legal advice. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored or sent.
How to use it
- Say whether the claim arises under federal or state law.
- Enter the state of citizenship of every plaintiff and every defendant.
- Enter the amount in controversy.
- Say if the case is a domestic relations matter or being removed from state court.
Common questions
What is complete diversity?
No plaintiff may be a citizen of the same state as any defendant. If even one pair shares a state, diversity jurisdiction is lacking.
What is a corporation’s citizenship?
Both the state where it is incorporated and the state of its principal place of business (its nerve centre).
Can the parties agree to federal jurisdiction?
No. Subject-matter jurisdiction cannot be created by consent or waiver, and the court must dismiss if it is lacking.
Learn the law behind the tool
This tool is part of our Civil Procedure course, with lectures, concept maps, flashcards, interactive exercises and a capstone case. Civil Procedure: Jurisdiction and Venue.
More free law tools
General information, simplified, mainly on American law, not legal advice. States and countries differ, and real cases turn on facts that a tool cannot capture.