Strawbridge v. Curtiss

7 U.S. 267 · Supreme Court of the United States · 1806

Facts

The case involves a question of federal court jurisdiction in a suit where multiple parties represent a joint interest, and the competency of all parties to sue or be sued in federal courts is at issue under diversity statutes. The specific parties or underlying dispute are not detailed, but the focus is on the interpretation of jurisdictional requirements.

Issue

Does federal diversity jurisdiction, under the act of congress, require each distinct person representing a joint interest to be competent to sue or be sued in federal courts, or is it sufficient if only some meet the criteria?

Holding

The court held that jurisdiction could not be supported, affirming the lower court's decree. This implies that not all parties representing a joint interest met the competency requirements for federal court jurisdiction.

Rule

For federal diversity jurisdiction, when an interest is joint, each and every person involved in that joint interest must be competent to sue or be sued in federal courts according to the relevant statutory language.

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Case brief last reviewed 2026-01-19. Prepared by CaseReader from the published opinion.