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PRL 101 slides, Sept. 15

Ted Major
September 15, 2015

PRL 101 slides, Sept. 15

CC-BY-SA

Ted Major

September 15, 2015
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  1. Court Systems and Alternative Dispute Resolution creative commons licensed (BY-NC-SA)

    flickr photo by Tulane Publications: https://flic.kr/p/7X6Gy5
  2. Brief assignment • Facts: only/all facts necessary to decide issue

    • Would a change in fact change outcome? • Tornado? Date of divorce? Whom they told? Whom they didn't tell? • Issue? • Whether a couple who claim to be married but keep the relationship secret at work have made sufficient public recognition to create a common-law marriage. • Rationale • Elements of common law marriage • Dispositive element
  3. Alabama trial courts general jurisdiction small claims <=$3000; not court

    of record district <$10,000, juvenile; no jury trials; not court of record circuit >$3000, equitable remedy; felonies & misdemeanors
  4. Alabama appellate courts generally questions of law, not fact Circuit

    (from district or small claims; trial de novo) Civil Appeals Criminal Appeals Alabama Supreme Court
  5. U.S. Supreme Court: 9 Justices Appeals Courts: U.S. Circuit Courts

    11 numbered circuits + D.C. & Federal 179 judges Trial Courts: U.S District Courts 94 districts in U.S. states and territories, 678 judgeships U.S. Federal Court System
  6. SCOTUS • 9 Justices • Certiorari • Rule of 4

    • Rule of 5 • Unanimous • Majority • Plurality • Tie
  7. Jurisdiction "to speak the law" authority of court to hear

    a case no jurisdiction, no valid judgment
  8. Exclusive Federal • Admiralty • Antitrust • Bankruptcy • Copyright

    • Trademark • Patents • Federal crimes • Suits v. US Concurrent • Federal question • Diversity Exclusive State • everything else State & Federal Jurisdiction
  9. venue physical location for lawsuit no constitutional requirement for correct

    venue convenience of parties, court, witnesses 1. district where any defendant resides, or 2. district where events occurred, or 3. district with in personam jurisdiction
  10. cc licensed ( BY ND ) flickr photo by bunnicula:

    http://flickr.com/photos/bunnicula/1342803599/
  11. cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by

    jimmywayne: http://flic.kr/p/5XP9L3
  12. cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by

    jimmywayne: http://flic.kr/p/4vcq2f
  13. Alternatives? • Negotiation – Pro: cheap, fast – Con: non-binding,

    may not agree • Mediation – Pro: less expensive, faster, 3d party may help sides agree – Con: non-binding, expense of 3d party • Arbitration – Pro: binding, faster, less publicity – Con: no appeal, expense of lawyers and arbitrators, potential bias
  14. Why is arbitration important? • How many have signed an

    arbitration agreement? – Signed a contract? – Bought a car? – House? – Credit card? – Cell phone? – “Dispute resolution”
  15. Arbitration Statutes • Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) – Makes all

    arbitration agreements involving interstate commerce valid, irrevocable, and enforceable – Awards can be modified only in case of arbitrator misconduct
  16. • Uniform Arbitration Act – Not adopted in Alabama •

    The following obligations cannot be specifically enforced . . . An agreement to submit a controversy to arbitration; Ala. Code §8-1-41 • every person, for any injury done him, in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have a remedy by due process of law; Ala. Const. §13 Arbitration Statutes
  17. Concerns with arbitration • Fairness • California study: banks won

    94% of arbitration cases • Expense • Pay up front • Split cost of arbitrator • Discovery • None
  18. Postell v. Merrell Lynch • Estate of Robert Postell filed

    arbitration claim for mismanagement of brokerage account • FINRA arbitration panel awarded Postell $520,000 • FINRA then sent all 3 arbitrators "black spot" letters
  19. AT&T v Concepcion 131 S.Ct. 1740 (2011) • Supreme Court

    upheld arbitration agreement & class action waiver • Overruled California Supreme Court holding that contract was unconscionable
  20. c licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by

    Darren Waters: http://flic.kr/p/qVEYb
  21. Sony timeline April 26, 2011: Sony gets hacked; 77 million

    accounts compromised April 27, 2011: AT&T v Concepcion decision April 27, 2011: First class action lawsuits against Sony filed September 2011: Sony changes PlayStation network TOS to require class action waiver