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Civil Procedure • Erie Doctrine
CIVPRO#033
Legal Definition
In diversity cases, the federal court must apply state substantive law and federal procedural law.
Plain English Explanation
Federal diversity cases involve parties that come from two or more different states. One issue caused by this is figuring out when to apply state laws and when to apply federal laws, since it wouldn't be fair to the plaintiff to strip them of the state claims they have brought simply because they have opted for a federal forum through diversity. The Erie Doctrine is how this issue is solved.
Under the Erie Doctrine, a federal court must apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. Determining whether a law is substantive or procedural will be covered in another card. However, a super simple overview of it is when there is a state rule that specifically exists for a reason that the State cares about, and it conflicts with a federal rule, then the state rule wins out. Where a state rule exists somewhat arbitrarily, and doesn't necessarily cause an impact on how the case unfolds, then the federal rule is followed.
Under the Erie Doctrine, a federal court must apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. Determining whether a law is substantive or procedural will be covered in another card. However, a super simple overview of it is when there is a state rule that specifically exists for a reason that the State cares about, and it conflicts with a federal rule, then the state rule wins out. Where a state rule exists somewhat arbitrarily, and doesn't necessarily cause an impact on how the case unfolds, then the federal rule is followed.
