Source: https://www.flashcardmachine.com/conflicts-oflaw.html
Timestamp: 2019-11-17 15:32:03
Document Index: 352715625

Matched Legal Cases: ['§377', '§ 6', '§145', '§145', '§145', '§145', '§122', '§ 6', '§145', '§146', '§6', '§122', '§138', '§139', '§6', '§145', '§6', '§146', '§6', '§146', '§6', '§145', '§6', '§6', '§145', '§145', '§145', '§ 378', '§145', '§6', '§145', '§187', '§322', '§358', '§6', '§188', '§188', '§196', '§196', '§189', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§188', '§6', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§187', '§244', '§6', '§283', '§6']

Conflicts-of-Law Flashcards
Conflicts-of-Law
Tort Theories
*7 Choice-of-Law Threories for Torts?
Vested Rights/Traditional/1st Restatement/Lex Loci Delicti/Torts-Place of the Injury (NC/SC/VA/WV)
Currie's Gov't Interest Analysis (CA)
Neumeier Rules for Loss Allocation (Builds on Caver's Principles of Preferences) (NY)
Leflar's Choice-Influencing Considerations (WI)
2d Restatement/MSR (FL/IL/NJ/TN)
Forum Preference/Lex Fori (KY)
Combination (DC/IND)
Vested Rights States (4)
VA, WV, NC, SC
Currie's Gov't Analaysis State
Neumeier Rules for Loss Allocation State
Leflar's Choice-Influencing Considerations State
2d Restatement States (4)
FL, IL, NJ, TN
Forum Preference State
Combination States (2)
DC, IND
What law applies in 1st Restatement state?
Law of the Place of the Wrong applies.
Under §377, the place of the wrong (for 1st Restatement) is ...
where the last event necessary to make actor liable for an alleged tort takes place.
What questions will the Law of the Place of the Wrong generally control over? (3)
Whether there is a cause of action;
What are the Steps in Currie's Gov't Interest Analysis? (4)
Was there an actual conflict - or - Are the laws of the states different?
What are the policies of State 1 - or - Did State 1 have a significant gov't interest?
What are the policies of State 2 - or - Did State 2 have a significant gov't interest?
Which state had the greater interest?
** Currie would NOT have weighed the interests, but would have gone w/ the forum.
Currie Three-Prong Test (3)
*Done on Issue-by-Issue Basis
Determine whether an actual conflict exists b/w the laws of the states in question for that particular issue, if so;
Determine the interest that each state has in resolving that particular issue (if only one state has an interest, there is a false conflict); and
Compare and weigh the interests of all the states to determine which state has the MSR to the occurrence and the parties w/ respect to that issue.
Neumeier Rules make distinctions b/w what kinds of rules? (2)
Conduct-Regulating rules; and
Loss-Allocating rules
Under Neumeier, what happens w/ conduct regulating rules?
Locus state/state where tort happened will usually have "predominant" concern and Neumeier Rules do NOT apply.
Under Neumeier, what kind of rules apply?
Neumeier Rules ONLY apply to loss-allocating rules.
Ex. of NY Conduct regulating rules? (2)
Statutory Standards of Care
**Generally, place of situs controls
What is a Loss-Allocating rule under Neumeier?
Loss allocating rules are those which prohibit, assign, or limit liability AFTER the tort occurs, such as charitable immunity and guest statutes.
Ex. of Loss-Allocating rules under Neumeier? (5)
Host/Guest Statute;
P's Fault; and
Neumeier Rule # 1?
1st Neumeier rule applies when the parties share a common domicile; in that situation, the law of the common domicile controls.
Neumeier Rule #2? (3)
Applies when:
The parties are domiciled in different states;
The situs of the tort is in a state which a party is domiciled in; and
The local law favors the respective domiciliary.
**Adopts a "place of injury test" if there is home field advantage.
Neumeier Rule #3? (3)
Parties are domiciled in different states;
Rule 2 does NOT apply; and
There are conflicting laws.
Exceptions to Neumeier Rule #3? (2)
Law of the situs applies unless displacing law will advance relevant substantive law purpose w/out impairing:
Smooth working of multi-state system; or
Producing great uncertainty for litigants.
Neumeier Rule #3 Tiebreaker
Where the interest of each jurisdiction in enforcing its laws is "roughly equal, the situs of the tort is appropriate as a "tiebreaker" b/c that is the only jurisdiction with which the parties have purposefully associated themselves in a significant way.
Neumeier Rule #3 Simplified (2)?
Law of place of injury will apply unless displacing with the law of another state:
Would advance the relevant substantive law purposes; and
Would NOT: 1) Impair the smooth working of the multi-state system; or 2) Produce great uncertainty for litigants.
Leflar's Considerations (5):
Predictability of Results;
Maintenance of Interstate and International Order;
Simplification of Judicial Task;
Advancement of Forum Gov't's Interests; and
Application of the Better Rule of Law
2d Restatement Tort Sections to Know (6)
Section 6 - General Principles
Section 145 - Tort Contacts
Section 146 - Presumption - Personal Injury
Section 122 - Issues Relating to Judicial Administration (Law of Forum)
Section 138 - Evidence (Law of Forum)
Section 139 Privileged Communications (Pro-Admission)
**Presumption - Place of injury controls unless another state has MSR unde Section 6 to parties and occurrence.
2d Restatement § 6 General Principles (7)
Needs of interstate/international systems;
Relevant policies of forum;
Relevant policies and interests of other interested states in particular issue;
Protection of parties' justified expectations;
Basic policies underlying the field of law;
Certainty, predictability, and uniformity of result; and
Ease of determination of law to be applied.
2d Restatement §145 Contacts (4)
Place of Injury;
Place of Conduct;
Domicile, headquarters, etc.;
Center of Relationship
Forum Preference Principles (3):
KY courts do not like to "displace" KY law;
KY courts will apply KY law if there are significant contacts - not necessarily the most significant contacts - w/ KY
NOT just ANY contacts but SIGNIFICANT contacts
2 Examples of Significant Contact in KY that justify applying KY law
If the accident occurs in KY that alone is enough;
If BOTH parties are residents of KY AND the only relationship to the case to another state is that the accident happened there.
DC Combo Approach Involves what 2 Analyses?
Gov't Interests Analysis;
Plus 2d Restatement
What does the court determine under the DC Combo Approach (3):
Is there an actual conflict - Are laws different?
Is there a "false conflict" - Does only one state have a real interest?
Which state has the greater interest?
DC Combo Approach (2)
DC uses Currie Plus:
Currie Analysis
Counts contacts found in §145 of 2d Restatement
IND Combo Approach (2)
Uses 1st Restatement Plus:
Also counts contacts in §145.
IND 1st Restatement Plus Step #1?
Court must determine whether the difference b/w the laws of the states are "important enough to affect the outcome of the litigation."
Ind 1st Restatement Plus Step #2
If such a conflict exists, presumption is that traditional lex loci delicti rule; under this rule, the court applies the substantive laws of the "state where the last event necessary to make an actor liable for the alleged wrong takes place.
Ind 1st Restatement Plus Step #3 (3)
Presumption of Place of Injury is not conclusive (differs from 1st Restatement)
Presumption overcome if court persuaded that "place of tort bears little connection to this legal action"
If P and D domiciled in same state, that state's law will generally apply.
Ind 1st Restatement Plus
If location is insignificant (3)
Court should consider other contacts that may be more relevant and looks to 2d Restatement §145(2)
Place where conduct causing injury occurred;
Residence or place of business of parties; and
Place where relationship is centered
*Not exclusive nor necessarily relevant
**All contacts "should be evaluated"
(5) Things P's L Must Determine Before Filing Complaint w/ Conflicts Issue?
Jurisdiction and Venue (JV) States
Contact States (w/ factual contact)
Which states are both JV and Contact states
Desired Law
How to achieve desired result w/ conflict law
How to determine JV state? (2)
Minimum Contacts w/ D
Venue established by statute/rule
How to determine Contact States? (3)
Where do players reside
Where did injury and conduct occur
How to determine desired law? (2)
Look at laws of all JV/Contact states
Which state has laws that benefit your C
How to achieve desired result? (2)
What are the conflicts rules in JV/Contact states
What are the results from applying those rules
General Principles for Forum State Court (5)
Forum law applies to procedural matters
Forum law applies to choice-of-law
Forum determines if true conflict exist (law not same)
Forum characterizes the issue
Forum will look for loophole/escape devices
Initial inquiry for choice of law issues? (6)
Characterizing the Issue
The Choice-of-Law Approach for the Jurisdiction
What State Supreme Court says about approach
Escape devices that can provide loophole
Jurisdiction and Venue Limits for P's Filing Options
(7) Types of Conflicts Approaches (and States)
Traditional 1st Restatement - VA/WV/NC/SC
Currie's Gov't Interest - CA
NY's Neumeier Rules - NY
Leflar's Choice Influencing Considerations - WI
2d Restatement/MSR - FL/IL/NJ/TN
Forum Preference - KY
Eclectic/Combo - DC/IN
Define an Escape Device
Allows a Forum court to manipulate which substantive law it will apply; legal loophole
Types of Escape Devices (8)
Procedural v. Substantive Label
What does 2d Restatement call Procedural Law
Matters of Judicial Administration
Forum Court always applies forum law for (2)
Procedural Rules/Practices
Matters of Remedy
Rest 2d §122 - MJA (5)
Court usually applies own local law re how litigation is conducted, even when applying local law rules of another state to resolve other issues in the case.
Forum will apply even if outcome determinative
Forum court more concerned w/ judicial machinery functions and court processes than any other state
It would be disruptive/burdensome not to do so
Parties have no expectations re such matters
2d Rest - Whole Law
Entire body of law of state INCLUDING conflicts law
2d Rest - Local/Substantive Law
Law of a state EXCLUDING conflicts law
Ex. of 2d Rest - MJA (6) (Temprs)
The proper form of action;
Execution and costs
Mode of Trial;
Rules of Discovery; and
What is 1st concerned w/ in COL?
What is 2d concerned w/ in COL?
What is Currie concerned w/ in COL?
Greater Gov't Interest
What is Leflar concerned w/ in COL?
What is NY concerned w/ in COL? (2)
Loss-Allocating v. Conduct-Regulating
Which meets the Neumeier rules
What is forum preference concerned w/ in COL?
If there is sufficient contact w/ forum
Law of Forum re Rules of Evidence (3)
Law of Forum determines admissibility of evidence EXCEPT
Privileged Communications;
Integrated Ks (PER); and
1st Rest Approach to Privileged Communications
Generally, law of forum controls
2d Rest Approach to Privileged Communications (2)
Evidence NOT privileged in MSR state will be admitted, even if privileged in Forum (unless contrary to strong Forum public policy)
Evidence privileged in MSR state, NOT privileged in Forum, will be admitted unless special reason for not admitting.
2d Rest - Special Factors to Not Admit Privileged Info (4)
Number and nature of contacts of forum w/ parties of transaction
Materiality of Evidence
Kind of Evidence
Fairness to parties
When is a Forum Court more inclined to give effect to a foreign privilege? (2)
That is well established and recognized in many states;
That was probably relied upon by the parties
Ex. A-C Privilege
Steps in Determining Admission of Evidence per MSR? (3)
Which is MSR state?
Is evidence privileged under MSR law?
Is evidence privileged under Forum Law?
Favors ADMISSION
To be privileged - MSR and Forum have to agree
1st Rest - SOL (2)
If forum SOL bars claim, claim is barred even if NOT barred in state where claim arose
If forum SOL does NOT bar claim, claim is NOT barred even if barred in state where claim arose
2d Rest - SOL (3)
In general, unless exceptional circumstances of case make such a result unreasonable:
Forum will apply its own SOL barring claim UNLESS;
Maintenance of claim would serve no substantial interest of Forum; AND
Claim would be barred under SOL of state w/ MSR to parties and occurrence
Any right is created by the state where the event occurred
Under the 1st Rest, where is the Place of the Wrong?
Place of the wrong is the state where the last event necessary to make actor liable for alleged TORT takes place
In Currie, if only one state has a legitimate interest, it is ...
A false conflict
When do you move to the 3rd step of the Currie Analysis?
If there is an actual conflict b/w 2 or more states
NY - What applies to conduct-regulating issues?
Law of the place of the injury
NY - Loss-Allocation Issue
Neumeier Rules apply
What are loss-allocating rules (3)
or Limit Liability after the tort occurs
What is required for proper application of Neumeier Rules?
To be applied to each litigant
1st Neumeier Rules Applies when (2):
Parties share common domicile;
Law of common domicile controls
2nd Neumeier Rules applies when (3)
Parties domiciled in different states;
Tort occurred in state where 1 party domiciled;
Local law favors respective domiciliary
3rd Neumeier Rule applies when (2)
Parties domiciled in different states w/ conflicting local laws;
Law of situs of tort usually applies unless "displacing normally applicable rule will advance relevant substantive law purposes w/out impairing smooth working of the multi-state system or producting great uncertainty for litigants.
NY Public Policy Two-Prong Test (2)
Other law would violate some NY fundamental principle of justice AND
Enough significant contacts to implement NY's public policy
NY Contacts that Matter (2)
Leflar's Considerations - Pro-Forum (5)
Maintenance of Reasonable Orderliness and Good Relationship Among the States;
Advancement of Forum's Interests Rather than that of Other States; and
Better/Sounder Rule of Law
Differences in MSR v. Leflar (2)
Better Rule of Law NOT found in MSR
No presumptions in Leflar
2d Rest Takes What Approach? (3)
Grouping of contacts approach;
Policy and interest considerations;
Compromise b/w rules approach of 1st Rest and interest analysis of 2d
Important §§ in 2d Rest (6)
§ 6 - General Principles
§145 - General Tort Princple & Ks
§146 - Presumption that place in injury controls in person injury cases unless other state has MSR under §6
§122 - Issues re Judicial Administration - Law of Forum Applies
§138 - Evidence - Law of Forum Applies
§139 - Privileged Communications - Pro Admission
2d Rest - §6 - General Overall Principles (7)
Relevant policies of the forum;
Relevant policies/interests of other interested states in particular issue;
Protection of parties; justified expectations;
2d Rest - §145 - Tort: Contacts to be Taken into Account when Applying §6 Principles (4)
Domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business parties; AND
Center of relationship.
Corporation Domicile (2)
Principle place of business; and
2d Rest - §146 - Presumptive Tort Section
Law of place of injury applies UNLESS another state has MSR under §6 to the occurrence and the parties.
Steps for Applying 2d Rest (4)
Is there an actual conflict?
§146 Presumption - Place of injury controls unless another state w/ MSR per §6
Apply §145
Apply §6
2d Rest §6 Principles Reduced to Their Essence (5)
Interests of interstate comity;
Interests of the parties;
Interests underlying the field of law;
Interests of judicial administration; and
Competing interests of the states.
Forum Preference states apply ...
Their own law
What two states apply form of lex fori?
KY and MI
KY Forum Preference Approach (3)
Not weighing interests, but looking to see if KY has enough contacts to warrant applying KY law;
Accident occurring in KY enough for KY law;
BOTH parties residents of KY and only relationship w/ foreign state is accident is enough for KY law;
Define False Conflict
When State 1's policy would be advanced by application of law, and the policy of State 2 would not.
DC - 2d Rest + Modified Currie (2)
Currie Analysis;
Count 2d Rest §145 Factual Contacts
IN - 1st Rest + (3)
Ct must determine whether the differences b/w laws of states are "important enough to affect outcome of litigation"
If this exists, PRESUMPTION of lex loci delicti rule
Presumption is NOT conclusive, can be overcome if place of tort bears little connection to the legal action
Domiciled in same state gen. enough to satisfy presumption
IN - 1st Rest + - If Location Insignificant (4)
Ct should consider factual contacts of 2d Rest §145;
Residence and place of business of parties; and
Place where relationship is centered.
Not exclusive nor necessarily relevant
All contacts "should be evaluated"
What are the Public Policy Concerns w/ each Theory (7)
1st Rest - Yes
NY - Yes, if significant contacts to NY
IND 1st Rest+ - Yes
Leflar - Yes, under Better Rule of Law Approach
KY Forum Preference - Yes
Currie - Yes
2d Rest - Technically, No, but some courts still rely on it
How to apply Leflar Approach (Heath) case (2)
Evaluate factual contacts (similar to 2d Rest §145) (5)
Determine interest of states w/ contacts to the issue - more than 1 - Leflar's Influencing Considerations (5) must be examined - w/ clear winner or neutral
Leflar Step 1 Factual Contacts (5)
Place where injury occurred;
Domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of parties;
Place where relationship, if any, b/w parties is centered; and
Where the car, if any, was garaged
Leflar Step 2 Considerations (5) (PMS-AA)
Maintenance of interstate/international order;
Advancement of the Forum's Gov't Interests; and
Application of better rule of law
Does Forum State HAVE to apply law of another state? (2)
FFC does NOT require state in cases involving people and events w/in it to substitute another state's statute for its own dealth w/ subject matter it is competent to litigate;
FFC does NOT require Forum state to apply law of another state when doing so would violate forum state's own legitimate public policy
Is Forum State BARRED for applying Forum Law? (2)
Forum state barred from applying own law when NO significant contact/significant aggregation of contacts creates a state interest, w/ the parties and the occurrences of transaction
Forum state cannot apply forum law if in doing so it is adopting a policy of hostility to public acts of another state
Plurality Test in the Negative
State cannot apply its own law when state has NO significant contact/aggregation of contacts, creating a state interest, w/ the parties and occurrence or transaction
Plurality Test in the Positive
State CAN apply its own law when that state has a significant contact/aggregation of contacts, creating a staet interest, w/ the parties and occurrence/transaction
Characterize the Issue - Suing another driver re an accident?
Characterize the Issue - Suing the insurance company for payment re an accident you were injured in by the other driver's negligence?
What events can cause rights to "vest" under the 1st Restatement? (2)
Breach of K
1st Restatement § 378 - Law Governing P's Injury
The law of the place of the wrong determines whether a person has sustained a legal injury.
A Foreign State is ...?
Any state other than the forum
What is an Apparent Conflict under Currie?
If more than one state appears to have a gov't interest
What is a True Currie Conflict?
When two or more states have a true gov't interest
What was Currie's recommondation to do when a True Currie Conflict existed?
Apply the law of the forum, instead of weighing the gov't interests, as CA does.
Leflar's 5 Considerations for Contracts (5) - WI
Advancement of Forum's Gov't Interests; and
Under Leflar - How do you Determine if a state has an interest?
You consider the 4 factual contacts under §145 (as well as the state where the car was garaged), in light of each state's policies to see if there is an interest.
Which two Leflar considerations are normally neutral in tort?
Predictability of Results; and
Simplification of Judicial Task
When could Simplification of Judicial Task be a non-neutral consideration?
If something would be a case of first impression in one state but not another
Leflar's Consideration - Maintenance of Interstate and International Order Requires what?
A state w/ minimal interests to defer to the interests of a state that is substantially concerned.
Which one of Leflar's Considerations is Most Relevant? Why?
Advancement of Forum Gov't's Interests
Its the duty of the courts to further the legitimate gov't policies of the Forum.
When does a court replace a law w/ a Better Rule of Law under Leflar? (2)
Public Policy; OR
If law is deemed as archaic, anachronistic, or not keeping up w/ the times.
What are the most important §6 Principles under the 2nd Restatement for torts?
Relevant Policies and Interests of Interested States as it Relates to the Relevant Issues;
Basic Policies Underlying the Field of Law; and
Ease in Determination and Application of Law
What Makes an Interest?
Contacts + Policies
When will a state's interest matter in determining if it truly has an interest?
When application will achieve the desired of the state's law
When might Protection of Parties' Justified Expectations be important in a 2nd Restatement Tort Analysis?
In a negligence suit involving a Bar or Dram Act
In DC, if more than one jurisdiction has a gov't interest, whose law applies?
Forum law applies, unless another state has a MSR per §145.
What does the FFC say about whether a Forum Court HAS TO APPLY the law of another state? (2)
FFC does not require the state, in cases dealing w/ people and events w/in it, to substitute another state's statute for its own statute dealing w/ subject matter it is competent to legislate; and
FFC does not require state to apply law of another state when doing so would violate a legitimate public policy of the state.
Allstate Aggregation Test
State CANNOT apply its own laws when state has "no significant contact of AGGREGATION of contacts w/ the parties and occurrences or transaction to create a state interest.
Sun Oil Rule
The Constitution does not prevent the Forum State from applying its own procedural rules.
What are the 8 Escape Devices?
Procedural v. Substantive Characterization;
Depecage;
Renvoi;
Proof of Foreign Law;
What does the 2nd Restatement call procedural laws?
When can the Public Policy escape device be used? (2)
When other state's law is repugnant to forum; and
Characterized as either tort, contract, or family law
Trigger words for Public Policy escape device? (7)
Repugnant;
Obnoxious;
Frustrates;
Violates;
Mere Difference NOT ENOUGH
Where to find public policy? (3)
Legislative Enactments;
Judicial Decisions;
Define Depecage
The process of applying rules of different states to discrete issues w/in the same case
Depecage under 2nd Restatement
Adopts rule under which EACH ISSUE arising under single claim may receive own COL analysis.
Depecage - Majority
Doctrine provides for different state's laws to apply to different claims.
Define Renvoi
Doctrine where courts, when faced w/ COL situation, adopts the ENTIRE law of a foreign state.
MD and Limited Renvoi will apply when (3):
Cause of action is a K;
MD has MSR or substantial relationship; AND
State where the K was entered into would apply MD law.
When do you lose your domicile?
When you obtain a new domicile.
To change your domicile, you must have (2):
Physical Act; AND
What is your legal residence?
What is the difference b/w a physical residence and your legal residence (domicile)?
You can have more than one physical residence, but only one domicile.
Acts of Declaration for Intent Prong of Domicile (8)
Hunting License;
Extended Presence in State;
Tax Return in State;
Homestead Tax in State;
Registered to Vote;
Declaration in Will.
Ex. of Involuntary Presence not to Change Domicile (3)
Prisoner in a Jail
Military Serviceman Stationed
Intent for Domicile has to be to remain there ______.
Indefinately, not Permanantly
Timing - When Can a Change in Domicile Occur
Common Factors for Determining Domicile (7)
Where civil/political rights are exercised;
Where taxes are paid;
Where real and personal property is located;
Where licenses are obtained;
Where bank accounts are maintained;
Where club and church memberships are;
Where employed.
College Student Domicile
Merely attending college does not change domicile.
Domicile of Child
Child has domicile of origin - then domicile of parent w/ custody
Domicile in Will
Declaration in a will should be respected if it sufficiently concurs w/ evidence of T's union of act and intent
Standard of Evidence to Show Domicile
Traditional Common Law - Proving Foreign Law Escape Device
Party wanting foreign law must plead and prove as facts
Leary - Proving Foreign Law
Changed Common Law - Foreign law not question of fact, but question of law.
Proving Foreign Law Presumptions (4)
Common Law prevails in Foreign Jurisdiction;
Law of Foreign Jurisdiction same as Forum Law;
Certain fundamental principles of law exists in all civilized countries; OR
By failing to plead and prove Foreign Law, parties acquiesced to having Forum Law apply
Will Forum apply another state's criminal law in Forum?
No - Crime is Local - Forum will only apply Forum's criminal laws
What determines the substantive criminal law to be applied?
General Rule re Criminal Law
Crime is local
Common Law - Criminal Laws
Only state w/ jurisdiction was state where crime was completed;
State may only punish for crimes committed w/in its border
One particular act or ommission (or result of act or ommission) was deemed vital for determining situs of crime
Common Law - Where crime was prosecuted
Jusidiction where vital act occurred
Common Law - Physical Location when committing crime
Focuses on where D was physically located - Narrow View
Modern - Physical Location of D for Crime
Constructive Presence - Go w/ Bullet to state where V died
Modern Approach - Determining Jurisdiction for Crime
Where D was physically located when committed vital act; AND
Where effects or results of D's vital acts occured
Territorial Jurisdiction for Crimes (2)
State where D was located when he acted; AND
State where effect on victim occurred
Modern View re scope of criminal jurisdiction
MPC - Allow jurisdiction if any element occurred in state
Result Theory of Criminal Law
A state may punish someone for acts done outside its borders where acts were intended and actually produced detrimental effects w/in the state - state where evil results
Dual Soveriegnty
Dual Sovereigns are not subject to double jeopardy
Choice of Law Approaches for Contracts (5)
Vested Rights/Traditional/1st Restatement/Lex Loci Contractus - SC/NC*/TN/VA/WV*
Grouping of Contacts (Auten) + 2nd Restatement - NY
Currie's Gov't Interest Analysis + 2nd Restatement - DC
2nd Restatement/MSR - KY
Leflar's Choice-Influencing Considerations - WI/MN
*Follows Modified 2nd Restatement §187 for Ks w/ COL Provisions
Escape Devices for Contracts (8)
Procedural v. Substantive (2nd - MJA);
Public Policy THE BIGGIE
1st Restatement - Ks w/out COL Provision States
SC/NC/TN/VA/WV
1st Restatement - §322 - Place of the Making - Ks w/out COL Provision
Validity, interpretation, or construction of a K is governed by the law of the place of contracting.
Issues governed by the law of the place of contracting (4)
Under 1st Restatement - how is place of K determined?
Place where the final act necessary took place to make the K binding.
If K is completely executed in State A, but K states that K is not complete until delivered to State B, where is place of contracting?
1st Restatement - §358 - Place of Performance - Contracts
The law of the place of performance governs questions of breach.
TN Twist to 1st Restatement
Parties are presumed to have intended to K pursuant to the laws of the state in which the K was entered into.
Exception to TN Twist on 1st Restatement for Contracts (2)
Party's expressly chose another state's laws to apply;
K is to be performed in another state and the party's envision that state's laws will apply
Grouping of Contacts + 2nd Restatement Approach State
Steps in Grouping of Contacts + 2nd Restatement Approach - NY - Contracts (3)
If gov't interests are involved - determine which state has MSR using 2nd Restatement §6 principles
If not gov't interests involved - look at §188 and count contacts
Why NY does not consider public policy in K cases?
K usually involve private economic interests
Exception to counting contacts in NY private K COL analysis.
Policies underlying the K are readily identifiable and reflect strong gov't interest
2nd Restatement - §188 - K Contacts for Ks w/out COL Provisions (5)
Place of Contracting
Place of Negotiating
Location of Subject Matter of K
Domicile of Contracting Parties
*Usually if Place of Contracting and Place of Performance the same, that state's law will apply
2nd Restatement/MSR (KY) Presumption for Rendition of Services K §196
Place of Performance, unless MSR state
Types of Ks w/ Presumption under 2nd Restatement/MSR (KY) (3)
§196 Rendition of Services K - Place of performance or MSR
§§189-190 Land K - Location of land or MSR
Insurance K - Location of Insured Risk or MSR
If person - person's domicile or MSR
If land - location of land or MSR
If car - where car garaged or MSR
Types of K issues w/ "But Usually" (3)
Capacity - §§187 & 188 control, but usually party's domicile
Formalities - §§187 & 188 control, but usually place of execution
Illegality - §§187 & 188 control, but usually illegal if illegal in place of performance
Types of K Issues w/ No Presumption or But Usually (2)
Validity - §§187 & 188 control
Measure of Recovery - §§187 & 188 control
2nd Restatement §187 - Ks w/ COL Provision (2)
Parties to K can choose which law will apply to K
Courts will generally uphold the law chosen by the parties w/ exceptions
2nd Restatement §188 K Contacts for Ks w/out COL Provision (5)
Location and Subject Matter of K
* Use w/ General Principles of §6
NC Modified 2nd Restatement - w/ COL Provision
Follows §187, but requires:
A reasonable basis for party's chosen state;
The law of the chosen state does not violate a fundamental public policy of the state or violate a law
WV Modified 2nd Restatement
WV will recognize the presumptive validity of a COL provision
Unless the provision bears no substantial relationship to the chosen jurisdiction; OR
The application of the laws of the chosen jurisdiction would offend the public policy of the state
Exceptions to 2nd Restatement §187 (2)
COL Provision Will Not Be Given Effect Unless
When the chosen state has no substantial relationship to the parties or the transaction;
When the application of the law of the chosen state would be contrary to a fundamental public policy of the state whose law would apply in the absence of a COL provision
MD - Non-2nd Restatement for Ks w/ COL Provision
Follows 1st Restatement, but also follows 2nd Restatement §187(2) exceptions - no relationship and against public policy
Traditional 1st Restatement View on COL Provisions
COL Provisions Not Allowed
Modern - 1st Restatement View on COL Provisions
All states that adopt 1st Restatement allows COL provision
1st Restatement - Ks w/ COL Provision (3)
If matter involved validity and interpretation, law of place of contracting controls
If matter involved performance or breach, law of place of performance controls
NY Grouping of Contacts approach to K w/ COL Provision (3)
NY Court will NOT enforce provision if there is
Violation of Public Policy; or
§187 Minority re Place of Incorporation
Place of Incorporation alone is not enough to have substantial relationship for enforcement of COL provision
2nd Restatement §187(2)(b) - Ks w/ COL Provision - Requirements to Disregard COL Provision (3)
Another state has a MSR to parties and transaction than chosen state;
MSR has materially greater interest than the chosen state in deciding issues re the K
Whether MSR has a substantial fundamental policy that would be contravened by applying the law of the chosen state
UCC w/ COL Provision
If parties have selected COL provision, then chosen state must have a reasonable relation to the transaction
UCC w/out COL Provision
If parties have not selected COL provision, then law of the forum state can apply if forum has an appropriate relation to the transaction
Escape Device for UCC COL
What is IN's approach to depecage?
Does not recognize it
Situs Rule re Land
Local Law of the Situs Controls
Specific Issues Determined by Situs of Land (4)
Formalities required;
Capacity of parties;
Interpretation of conveyance;
Effect of conveyance
What law controls re Mechanic's Lien
Law of the situs, unles COL provision
Traditional - Law Governs Movable Property
Law of the place the chattel was physically located at time title was created
2nd Restatement §244 - Law of Movables (2)
Validity and effect of conveyance of interest in a chattel is determined by laws of state w/ MSR to parties, chattel, and conveyance under §6
If no COL provision, location of chattel at time of conveyance gives most weight
Intangible Property is
General Rules re Wills (2)
Validity of will that conveys interest in movable property controlled by law of the state of T's domicile
Validity of will that conveys interest in immovable property property controlled by law of situs of immovable property
Traditional Rule - Lex Loci Celebrationis - Marriage Recognition Rule
If marriage valid under law of state where celebrated, then it will be recognized as valid in every other state EXCEPT:
When marriage is invalid under law of state where either party was domiciled as either
Crime that goes against laws of nature
Offends the domicile state's public policy
2nd Restatement §283 - Marriage (3)
Validity of marriage will be determined by the local law of the state which, w/ respect to the particular issue, has the MSR to the spouses and the principles stated in §6;
A marriage which satisfies the requirements of the state where the marriage was conducted will everywhere be recognized
UNLESS it violates a strong public policy of another state which had the MSR to the spouses and the marriage at the time of marriage
Generally - What Law Controls for Divorce
Law of the Forum
What is jurisdiction based on in divorce?
Will Forum court apply foreign divorce law?
No - Divorce is local
Is unilateral divorce permitted?
Estoppel in Divorce
Party who acquiesced in or participated in divorce is estopped from challenging later based on lack of jurisdiction
Divisible Divorce (2)
Jurisdiction to divorce may be exercised unilaterally based on domicile of spouse present in state;
Same court may not conclusively determine non-present spouse's support obligation or property rights
Purpose of UIFSA
Means to establish and enforce child support obligations and spousal support obligations across state lines
How many states adopted UIFSA
UIFSA causes
Once a court enters a support decree w/ jurisdiction, it is the only body entitled to modify so long as it retains continuing, exclusive jurisdiction under the act
What can other state's do under UIFSA
Another state, while required by UIFSA to enforce the existing decree, has NO power under the Act to modify or enter support at a different level
Continuing, Exclusive Jurisdiction - Only One Court has power to (2)
To issue; AND
To modify a child support order
Ways to Obtain Jurisdiction under UIFSA (8)
8. Any Other Basis Permitted by the Constitution
How a State Loses Exclusive, Continuing Jurisdiction (2)
2. Parties have AGREED to another state entering a controlling order
Registering Child Support Order Under UIFSA (3)
UIFSA requires a state to recognize and enforce registered child support orders issued by another state, just as it would an order issued by one of its own courts
Support order issued by another state is registered for enforcement when the order is filed in registering tribunal of that state
Presumption is that Registered Order is valid
How many days does a party have to contest a registered chld support order?
Limited Defenses to Registered Child Support Order (7)
Parent/Child - Once established, valid everywhere
Incidents of Status
Rights and Obligations Associated w/ Status of Parent and Child – Incidents generally governed by where the parties are when they exercise these incidents
UCCJEA Home State Jurisdiction
Considers Child Custody a status determination, not requiring minimum contacts over D
Under PKPA, when must a custody order be recognized by other states?
IF home state or initial order state enters custody order
What is required on D for custody hearing.
Notice and opportunity, not personal jurisdiction
Jurisdiction under PKPA?
2. If NO home state, the “significant connection” state
Only ONE state can have jurisdiction
State in which child immediately lived preceding time involved LIVED w/ parents, a parent, or a person acting as a parent for at least 6 consecutive months
Home State - Residence or Domicile
Significant Connection State under PKPA (3)
3. In the best interest of the child, that court in that state shall assume jurisdiction
PKPA and the FCC
State does not have to comply w/ the PKPA to determine that it has jurisdiction over a custody case, BUT if a state wants other states to honor its order based on FFC, a state MUST follow jurisdictional requirements of PKPA
Purpose of Federal PKPA (3)
3. To stop national epidemic of parental kidnapping by eliminating incentive for one parent to remove a minor child to another jurisdiction
Under PKPA - Home State has Exclusive, Continuing Jurisdiction Until (2)
o Even if in state only b/c in jail – still state of residence (not domicile)
Difference in UIFSA and PKPA?
Under UCCJEA, NOT necessary for court to obtain personal jurisdiction over BOTH parents in order for the court to issue valid child custody order
Final Judgment Effects on Other States
· Once a judgment exists, other states are generally bound to enforce that judgment under the “finality rules” of the state that RENDERED the judgment
Second State MUST respect judgment rendered by First State unless First State judgment has (2):
2. Defects under Constitution (one of 6 exceptions)
Public Policy and FCC
No Public Policy Exception in FCC
Exceptions to FCC (6)
6. Non-Final Orders.
Can Subject Matter jurisdiction be waived
How to attack subject matter jurisdiction decision
Direct Attack through appeal
Fall - Rule re Judgments Affecting Title to Land
A sister state’s decree concerning land ownership in another state has been held ineffective to transfer title.
Chicot County Rule re Subject Matte Jurisdiction and Judgments
Res Judicata applied to a judgment involving subject matter jurisdiction when the party below COULD HAVE raised the issue and had it finally determined.
Levin Rule re Fraud and Collateral Attack on Judgment
FFC permitted collateral attack on judgment based on fraud.
Modern Approach to Intrinsic or Extrinsic fraud distinction
Fraud is fraud, can collaterally attack either
FFC and Penal Laws
FFC does NOT REQUIRE one state to respect/honor a sister state’s criminal judgment
Strictly and properly, are those imposing punishment for an offense committed against the state, if there is a penal law and penal judgment, that judgment is NOT entitled to enforcement in another state
Huntington – Test for Penal Judgment
Wrong to the Public or to the Individual – What is the purpose of the law upon which the judgment is based (2):
2. To afford private remedy to person injured by wrongful act (civil)
Ingalls Shipbuilding – Statute involving paying money is penal IF (3):
3. Statute meant to address harm to public, not individual
Basis for voluntary enforcement or recognition by one state of the judicial proceedings of a sister state
General Understanding re Final Judgments
ONLY a FINAL judgment or decree is entitled to FFC
Prevents relitigation on claim if raised by D
Direct Attack on Judgment
Attack by losing party appealing judgment
Collateral Attack on Judgment
Attack on judgment in subsequent, totally different proceeding, not by appealing
When Can Losing Party Collaterally Attack? (2)
2. Constitutional defects (6 exceptions)
Focuses on what party admitted in the proceedings and to prevent party from contradicting admissions
Ends controversy over other issues
Requires full litigation
May preclude relitigation of same issue in a later suit on any cause of action
If on same side (not adverse) not precluded
Required for Personal Jurisdiction (2)
D must be present in state; OR
D must have certain minimum contacts w/ the state such that the maintenance of a lawsuit does not offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice, and the party must receive fair and adequate notice of the case (International Shoe)
Choices to Fight Personal Jurisdiction (2)
Enter special appearance and fight personal jurisdiction
Don’t appear at all and suffer a default judgment – collaterally attack elsewhere
Pre-Erie - Swift (2)
Federal courts followed local common law
If none, could fashion own federal common law if Q involved general law.
Erie Rule
No federal common law
Federal court in diversity applies 1) state law to substantive issues and 2) federal law to procedural issues
Guaranty Trust Rule (1 After Erie) (4)
Outcome Determinative Test
Federal court should follow state law if outcome determinative
Very broad test
Almost anything procedural can be outcome determinative
Byrd Test (2 After Erie)
Court narrowed Guaranty Trust Outcome Determinative Test
Rules defining state-created rights – apply state law
Rules bound up w/ defining state-created rights – apply state law
Rules as to form and mode – apply state law if outcome determinative
Certification to State Supreme Court
Many states have adopted procedures whereby federal courts can certify unsettled questions to the state courts
· Hanna – Two-Prong Test When Federal Rule Present (6):
Is there applicable FRCP that governs?
If yes, is there “direct collision” b/w federal and state law?
If state law can be followed b/c FRCP is NOT as broad, then NO collision.
IF collision b/w federal and state law, court determines if Federal Rule valid under Enabling Act?
If so – federal rule controls
FRCP rules NO LONGER EXAMINED under OD Test
Erie Evolution in Diversity Case (5)
Erie Labeling – State law applied to substantive matters and federal law to procedural matters
Guaranty Trust – OD Test
Byrd – Form and Mode – Modified OD Test w/ balancing interests at least w/ judge/jury relations and strong possibility outcome affected
Hanna – Relied on Twin Aims of Erie to again modify OD Test, 2-Step Analysis: 1) valid FRCP rule, 2) not subject to Erie
Woods – Labeling is back