Civil Procedure Multistate Bar Practice Exam

Which of the following is not considered a substantive issue under the Erie Doctrine?

1. Conflict of law rules

2. Elements of a claim

3. Federal court's authority

4. Statutes of limitation

The correct answer is: Federal court's authority

Under the Erie Doctrine, the differentiation between substantive and procedural issues is crucial for determining which law applies in a federal court when there is diversity jurisdiction. Substantive issues refer to laws that affect the outcome of a case, whereas procedural issues pertain to the process of litigation. The option indicating the federal court's authority is indeed not considered a substantive issue under the Erie Doctrine. This is because the authority of a federal court pertains to its jurisdiction and procedural capabilities rather than the governing laws that determine the rights and obligations of the parties involved in the case. Jurisdictional matters are predominantly procedural, dealing with how a case is tried rather than the underlying substantive rights at stake. In contrast, elements of a claim, statutes of limitation, and conflict of law rules all directly affect the substance of the case. Elements of a claim dictate what must be proven for a plaintiff to succeed in their lawsuit, significantly influencing the outcome. Statutes of limitation set the time frames within which a plaintiff must file a claim, thus impacting a party's ability to pursue justice. Conflict of law rules determine which jurisdiction's laws apply when there is a legal conflict between different state laws, further influencing the substantive rights of the parties involved.