Businesses must be aware of the legal implications of their operations. That includes understanding court jurisdiction. One area of this is called “pendent jurisdiction.”
In law, pendent jurisdiction refers to the power of one court in a given jurisdiction (usually federal court) to hear cases that touch on other matters of jurisdiction. Pendent jurisdiction is also known as “ancillary jurisdiction.” It derives from the Latin phrase pendere, or “to hang.”
How Does Pendent Jurisdiction Apply to Businesses?
It applies to businesses when lawsuits or other legal proceedings are connected to cases involving federal issues. In within a single court’s jurisdiction, certain parties may be allowed to join their cases together that touch on different areas of the law. An example of this could be that a case regarding a trademark infringement is linked to a copyright violation.
In this case, the court can exercise pendent jurisdiction to hear all the claims, instead of requiring the plaintiff to file separate lawsuits in two different courts for the copyright and trademark claims. It allows a single court to hear cases that may involve both state and federal issues. It is important to consider where a case is going to be heard in order to understand the scope of its potential authority.
Benefits of Pendent Jurisdiction
Pendent jurisdiction can be a great way to settle multiple disputes simultaneously with a single court order. It increases efficiencies in the legal system, and it can be beneficial for businesses as it can greatly reduce the costs associated with litigation. It is also useful in more complex cases that involve multiple layers of legal proceedings.
Feel the Impact of Pendent Jurisdiction? Know Your Rights.
Businesses must be aware of the legal implications of their operations, so it is important to note that a court can be empowered to hear pendent cases. When a business is faced with litigation, it is important to consider not only the state laws that may apply to the case, but any federal issues that may also be included. Working with a knowledgeable legal professional is the best step businesses can take to ensure that their rights are protected and their legal needs are carefully addressed.