CT Bar - Connecticut Bar Civil Procedure: Jurisdiction Questions and Answers

Question 1

A plaintiff residing in Hartford, Connecticut, wishes to file a lawsuit against a defendant who lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, for breach of a contract that was negotiated and signed entirely in Boston, Massachusetts.
The amount in controversy is $100,000.
The defendant owns a vacation property in Greenwich, Connecticut, unrelated to the lawsuit.
Under Connecticut law, which of the following provides the strongest basis for a Connecticut court to exercise personal jurisdiction over the defendant?

Accepted Answer

The court likely lacks personal jurisdiction because the defendant's contacts with Connecticut are not related to the cause of action.

Answer

General personal jurisdiction exists because the defendant owns property in Connecticut.

Answer

Specific personal jurisdiction exists under Connecticut's long-arm statute because the plaintiff is a Connecticut resident.

Answer

Jurisdiction is proper because the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

Question 2

A corporation, incorporated in Delaware with its principal place of business in New York, is sued in Connecticut Superior Court. The lawsuit arises from a tortious injury that occurred in Rhode Island. The corporation is registered to do business in Connecticut and has appointed an agent for service of process. Based on current Connecticut law, what is the likely outcome of the defendant's motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction?

Accepted Answer

The motion will be denied because, in Connecticut state courts, registering to do business is considered consent to general personal jurisdiction.

Answer

The motion will be granted because the cause of action did not arise in Connecticut.

Answer

The motion will be denied because the corporation's registration creates sufficient minimum contacts for specific jurisdiction.

Answer

The motion will be granted because the corporation is not 'at home' in Connecticut.

Question 3

In which of the following scenarios is venue proper in the judicial district of Hartford for a civil action?

Accepted Answer

An action for breach of contract where the plaintiff resides in Manchester and the defendant resides in Tolland.

Answer

A personal injury case where the plaintiff resides in New Haven and the defendant resides in Fairfield.

Answer

An action to foreclose a mortgage on property located entirely within the Litchfield judicial district.

Answer

A small claims matter where the plaintiff lives in Stamford and the defendant does business in Danbury.

Question 4

A plaintiff files a lawsuit in Connecticut against a company based in Germany that manufactures a product sold through an independent distributor in Connecticut. The plaintiff was injured in Connecticut by the product. The German company has no offices, employees, or property in Connecticut and does not directly advertise there. To establish specific personal jurisdiction over the German company, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the company:

Accepted Answer

Purposefully availed itself of the privilege of conducting activities within Connecticut, such that it should reasonably anticipate being brought into court there.

Answer

Is registered to do business with the Connecticut Secretary of the State.

Answer

Has 'continuous and systematic' contacts with Connecticut.

Answer

Derives more than 50% of its total revenue from sales within Connecticut.

Question 5

The Connecticut Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction. This means it has the authority to hear:

Accepted Answer

All legal controversies except those over which the Probate Courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Answer

Only cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.

Answer

Only civil cases, as criminal matters are heard in a separate court system.

Answer

Any case, without exception, that arises under Connecticut law.

Question 6

A defendant in a complex product liability case in Connecticut Superior Court files a motion to dismiss based on the doctrine of *forum non conveniens*. The defendant, a Brazilian corporation, argues that the evidence, witnesses, and manufacturing site are all in Brazil, making it a more appropriate forum. Which of the following is the MOST critical factor the Connecticut court must find before granting the motion?

Accepted Answer

That an adequate alternative forum exists in Brazil where the plaintiff can obtain a remedy.

Answer

That the plaintiff is not a resident of Connecticut.

Answer

That Brazilian law is more favorable to the defendant.

Answer

That the defendant has no physical presence in Connecticut.