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Simple English definitions for legal terms
matter in controversy
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A quick definition of matter in controversy:
Definition: Matter in controversy refers to the damages or relief demanded by the injured party in a lawsuit. In order for a federal court to have diversity jurisdiction, the amount in controversy must exceed $75,000. This is also known as the jurisdictional amount.
Simply put, matter in controversy is the issue that is being disputed in a legal case. It could be the amount of money that one party owes the other, or the type of relief that is being sought. For example, if someone sues another person for breach of contract, the matter in controversy would be the amount of damages that the plaintiff is seeking.
Overall, matter in controversy is an important concept in the legal system because it helps determine whether a case can be heard in federal court or not.
A more thorough explanation:
Matter in Controversy
Matter in controversy refers to the damages or relief demanded by the injured party in a lawsuit. In order for a federal court to have diversity jurisdiction, the amount in controversy must exceed $75,000.
- A person sues a company for breach of contract and demands $100,000 in damages. The matter in controversy is $100,000.
- A landlord sues a tenant for unpaid rent and demands $50,000 in damages. The matter in controversy is $50,000.
These examples illustrate how the matter in controversy is the amount of money that is being disputed in a lawsuit. If the amount in controversy is less than $75,000, a federal court may not have jurisdiction over the case.