🎙️ Civil Procedure Spotlight: Jurisdiction, Venue & Removal Explained – How Courts Decide Who Can Hear the Case (and Where It Belongs)In this episode, we break down how courts get authority over a case — and how defendants can move one from state to federal court.Part 1 – Subject Matter Jurisdiction (SMJ)SMJ = a court’s power over the type of case. Federal courts can only hear cases they have statutory power to hear.Federal Question (§1331): Case arises under the Constitution, federal law, or treaties.Diversity (§1332): Parties from different states + amount in controversy > $75,000.Complete Diversity: No plaintiff can share citizenship with any defendant.Non-waivable: Can be raised anytime—if missing, the case is void.Part 2 – Personal Jurisdiction (PJ)PJ = the court’s power over the defendant. Rooted in due process fairness.Rule (International Shoe): Defendant must have minimum contacts with the forum so jurisdiction doesn’t offend “fair play and substantial justice.”Specific PJ: Contacts relate to the lawsuit (e.g., contracts, targeted actions, sales).General PJ: Defendant is “at home” — usually the state of incorporation or main office.Consent & Tag: Defendants can consent by contract or service while present. 📍 Tennessee Note: NV Sumatra (no PJ over foreign manufacturer); Crouch Consulting (PJ upheld for TN-targeted contract).Part 3 – VenueVenue = which district is the right place for trial.Proper where any defendant resides (if all in same state) or where key events occurred (§1391).Transfer (§1404): To another proper district for convenience.Improper Venue (§1406): Court can dismiss or transfer.Forum Non Conveniens: Dismiss if another country’s court is clearly better. 📍 TN Rule: Real property cases filed where the land lies; transitory actions where the cause arose or defendant resides.Part 4 – Removal (28 U.S.C. §§ 1441–1446)Removal = a defendant’s tool to shift a case from state to federal court.Only defendants can remove.Federal court must have original jurisdiction (SMJ).Forum Defendant Rule: No removal if any defendant is from the forum state. 🧠 Mnemonic: “Home field, no removal.”Unanimity Rule: All served defendants must consent.Timing: 30 days after service; later-served defendants get their own 30 days.1-Year Limit: Diversity removals barred after 1 year unless plaintiff acted in bad faith.🧾 Remand: Plaintiffs can move to send the case back if removal was improper.30 days for procedural defects; anytime for lack of SMJ.🎯 TakeawayCivil Procedure is about power and place:SMJ = court’s authority over the casePJ = court’s reach over the defendantVenue = proper locationRemoval = defendant’s path to federal courtGet any piece wrong — and the case heads right back to state court.🎧 For more clear, law-school-friendly breakdowns, search and subscribe to The American Law Café on YouTube.#CivPro #Jurisdiction #Venue #Removal #LawSchool #BarPrep #AmericanLawCafe #FederalCourt Introductory Music for American Law Cafe. In Jazz Short by moodmode / Vlad Krotov.  Support the show 🎶 Intro Music: "In Jazz Short" by moodmode / Vlad Krotov 📚 Content Created by Heather Mora 🎙️ Hosted on Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2429305