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Jurisdiction

A court's power to hear a case — subject-matter jurisdiction over the dispute and personal jurisdiction over the parties.

Federal subject-matter jurisdiction requires either a federal question (arising under federal law, on the face of a well-pleaded complaint) or diversity (complete diversity of citizenship plus more than $75,000 in controversy). Personal jurisdiction requires minimum contacts with the forum such that suit doesn’t offend traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice (International Shoe).

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