CHECKLISTS FOR MBE TOPICS:

Civil Procedure

Constitutional Law

Contracts

Criminal Law

Criminal Procedure

Evidence

Real Property

Torts

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 Civil Procedure

I. SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION

a. Constitutional limitations
b. Federal question
c. Diversity
d. Amount in controversy
e. Removal
f. Concurrent
g. Supplemental

II. VENUE

a. Federal rules
b. Local actions
c. Change of venue
d. Forum non conveniens

III. PERSONAL JURISDICTION

a. In-state defendant
b. Out-of-state defendant
i. Long-arm statute
ii. Minimum contacts

IV. PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS

a. Pleadings
i. Complaint
ii. Answer
iii. Reply
iv. Rule 11
v. Objections to pleadings
vi. Amendments
b. Joinder of parties
i. Permissive joinder
ii. Compulsory joinder – necessary and indispensable parties
iii. Intervention
iv. Impleader
c. Joinder of claims
i. Original claims
ii. Counterclaims
iii. Cross-claims/Impleader claims
d. Class actions
i. Prerequisites (Commonality, Adequacy, Numerosity, Typicality – CANT)
ii. Types
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 V. DISCOVERY

a. Scope
b. Limits
i. Work product
ii. Protective orders
c. Discovery devices
i. Depositions
ii. Interrogatories
iii. Request for production of documents
iv. Requests for admission
v. Mental and physical exams
d. Sanctions
e. Certification
f. Pretrial conference and Order

VI. TRIAL

a. Disposition without trial

i. Motions attacking pleadings
ii. Voluntary dismissal
iii. Involuntary dismissal
iv. Summary judgment
b. Right to jury trial
c. Jury selection
d. Post-judgment motions
i. JMOL
ii. RJMOL
iii. New trial
iv. Relief from judgment

VII. APPEAL

a. Basis for appeal – final order

b. Scope of appellate review
c. Time for appeal

VIII. EFFECT OF JUDGMENT

a. Res judicata (claim preclusion)

b. Collateral estoppel (issue preclusion)

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 Constitutional Law
I. Steps In Con Law analysis

a. Threshold Issues
i. Standing, mootness, ripeness, state action (abstention)
b. Applicable Amendment
i. Look for issue pairings
ii. If this a property right or an liberty right?
c. Applicable Elements for Claim
i. If element missing, facial challenge
ii. If all elements addressed in statute, as applied challenge
d. Level of Judicial Review
i. Strict scruitiny, intermediate scrutiny, rational basis, or a special test
e. Closing Issues (sometimes)
i. Vagueness, overbreadth, excessive discretion

II. THRESHOLD ISSUES

a. Standing
i. Associational Standing
ii. Third-party standing
iii. zone of interests
iv. Abstention
b. Mootness
c. Ripeness
d. State Action

III. LEVELS OF JUDICIAL REVIEW

a. Rational Basis (RBR)

b. Intermediate Scrutiny (IS)
c. Strict Scrutiny (SS)

IV. PROPERTY RIGHTS GUARANTEES: TAKINGS & CONTRACT CLAUSE

a. Takings: 5th amend (feds) and 14th Amend (states)

b. Contracts Clause
i. Judcial Review
1. private contracts: intermediate scrutiny
2. public contracts: strict scrutiny

V. PROPERTY/LIBERTY RIGHTS: SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL DP

a. Substantive DP
i. Abortion
1. Undue Burden Test
ii. Right to Interstate Travel
iii. Fundamental Right to Vote
iv. Economic Activites
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 b. Procedural DP
i. Property
ii. Liberty
1. intentional govt action req
iii. What process is due?
iv. Use Mathews balancing test for type and timing:

VI. EQUAL PROTECTION (5th and 14th Amends)

a. For all claims, must prove intentional discrimination. Test?

b. Race or National Origin: Suspect
i. Affirmative Action Cases:
c. Alienage: Sometimes suspect
i. Federal vs. State Govt
d. Gender: Quasi-Suspect
e. Illegitimacy: Quasi-suspect
f. Fundamental Rights Restrictions: Suspect
g. Non-Suspect

VII. EXPRESSIVE FREEDOMS: SPEECH, PRESS, ASSOCIATION, RELIGION

a. Analytical Steps
b. Content-based vs. content-neutral
i. Content-based restrictions on subject matter or viewpoint
ii. Content-neutral laws that burden expressive conduct
c. Prior restraints
d. Vague, Overbroad, Unduly Discretionary

VIII. UNPROTECTED/LESS PROTECTED SPEECH

a. Incitement of Illegal Conduct

b. Fighting Words
c. True Threat
d. Obscenity and Sexually-oriented speech
i. Miller test
ii. Child porn
iii. Zoning adult businesses
e. Defamation
f. Commercial Speech

IX. FREEDOM OF SPEECH: TIME, PLACE, MANNER

a. Forum Rules
i. Public or limited forums
ii. Nonpublic forums
iii. Private property

X. OTHER EXPRESSIVE ACTIVITIES

a. Freedom of Press
i. Publication of Unlawfully Obtained Information
b. Freedom of Association
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 i. Association for political activities is a fundamental right:
ii. Association for Illegal Activities
iii. Anonymous Association
iv. Discriminatory Membership
v. Govt Employees
vi. Loyalty oaths
c. Freedom of Religion
i. Free Exercise Clause
ii. Establishment Clause
1. Lemon test:

XI. FEDERAL EXECUTIVE POWERS; Article II

a. Conflict of laws hierarchy

b. Warmaking Power
c. Appointment and Removal of Officers
d. Impeachment, conviction, removal:
e. Executive Immunity and Privilege
f. Pardon power

XII. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE POWERS: Article I

a. Enumerated Powers and Necessary and Proper

b. Commerce Power
c. Taxing and Spending Power
d. Civil Rights Enforcement (14th Amend, sec 5)
e. TENTH AMEND
f. ELEVENTH AMEND limits on Congressional Powers
g. Legislative and Line item veto

XIII. PREEMPTION, DORMANT COMMERCE CLAUSE, P&I DOCTRINES

a. Preemption (from Supremacy Clause)

b. Dormant Commerce Clause
c. Privileges & Immunities Clause (Article IV, sec2)

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 Contracts Checklist
I. Which law governs?

a. UCC
b. CL
c. Gravamen

II. Formation of Contract

a. Mutual Assent
i. Offer
ii. Acceptance
b. Consideration
i. Bargained for exchange
ii. Promissory estoppel

III. Defenses to formation

a. Statute of frauds
b. Mistake/ambiguity
c. Illegality
d. Incapacity
e. Unconscionable
f. Fraud, duress

IV. Contract terms

a. Interpretation of terms
b. Modification
c. Parol evidence rule

V. Third Parties
a. Third party beneficiaries
b. Assignment/delegation
VI. Performance
a. Conditions
i. Types
ii. Excuse
iii. Satisfaction
b. Discharge of duty
i. Impossibility, impracticability
ii. Frustration of purpose
iii. Modification
iv. Mutual rescission
v. Novation
vi. Accord & Satisfaction
c. Breach
i. Anticipatory repudiation
ii. Major vs. Minor breach
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VII. Remedies
a. Expectation interest
b. Compensatory damages
c. Consequential damages
d. Restitution
e. Rescission
f. Reformation
g. Specific performance
h. Quasi-contract

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 Criminal Law Checklist
I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
a. Actus reus
b. Mens rea
c. Concurrence
d. Causation
II. ACCOMPLICE LIABILITY
a. Elements
b. Defenses
III. PRELIMINARY (INCHOATE) OFFENSES
a. Solicitation
b. Conspiracy (no merger)
c. Attempt
IV. CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON
a. Homicide
i. Murder
ii. Voluntary manslaughter
iii. Involuntary manslaughter
b. Assault and Battery
c. Rape
d. Kidnapping
e. Mayhem
V. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY – THEFT
a. Larceny
b. Embezzlement
c. False pretenses
d. Receiving stolen property
VI. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY & PERSON
a. Robbery
b. Extortion
VII. CRIMES AGAINST REAL PROPERTY
a. Arson
b. Burglary
VIII. CRIMES AGAINST THE PUBLIC
a. Forgery
b. Malicious mischief
IX. CRIMES INVOLVING JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
a. Perjury and Subornation of perjury
b. Bribery
c. Compounding a crime
d. Misprision of a felony

X. DEFENSES
a. Defenses negating Capacity
i. Insanity (4 tests)
ii. Intoxication
iii. Infancy
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 iv. Diminished capacity
b. Justification defenses
i. Defensive force (eg, self-defense)
ii. Crime prevention
iii. Effectuating or Resisting arrest
iv. Necessity
c. Exculpatory Defenses
i. Duress
ii. Mistake
iii. Consent
iv. Entrapment

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 Criminal Procedure Checklist
I. EXCLUSIONARY RULE
a. 4th Amendment
b. Exceptions to Fruit of Poisonous Tree
TH
II. 4 AMENDMENT
a. Arrest
i. PC required
b. Search and Seizure
i. Governmental conduct
ii. Reasonable expectation of privacy
iii. Search warrant
iv. Exceptions to search warrant requirement:
1. search incident to lawful arrest
2. “automobile” exception
3. plain view
4. consent
5. stop and frisk
6. hot pursuit, emergencies
v. Administrative inspections and searches
vi. Searches in foreign countries and at the border
vii. Wiretapping and eavesdropping
III. 5TH AMENDMENT
a. Self-incrimination/Miranda warnings
i. When required
ii. Right to terminate interrogation
iii. Effect of violation
iv. Public safety exception
b. Double Jeopardy
IV. 6TH AMENDMENT
a. Right to counsel
b. Right to speedy trial
c. Right to jury trial
d. Right to confront witnesses
TH
V. 8 AMENDMENT
a. Cruel and unusual punishment
VI. 14TH AMENDMENT
a. Due Process
b. Pre-trial ID

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 Evidence Checklist
I. Form
a. Sequence of witness examination
b. Objections to questions and answers
II. Purpose
a. Logical relevance
i. Tendency to make more or less probable
ii. Special relevancy problems
b. Legal relevance
i. Extrinsic policy exclusions
ii. Prejudicial impact
c. Character
d. Habit
e. Public policy exceptions
III. Presentation
a. Witness
i. Competency (age, stupidity)
ii. Personal knowledge
iii. Impeachment
b. Document or tangible object
i. Authentication
ii. Best evidence rule
c. Opinion
i. Lay
ii. Expert
d. Judicial notice
e. Presumptions
f. Burdens of proof
IV. Hearsay
a. Definition
b. Exclusions and Exceptions
i. Admissions
ii. Unavailability exceptions
iii. Reliability exceptions
iv. Documentary exceptions
v. Others
V. Privileges
a. Privileged relationship
i. Professional
ii. Marital
b. Confidential communication
c. Holder
d. Exception

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 Real Property
I. Estates: possessory estates and future interests
a. Fee Simple Absolute
b. Life Estate
i. Rights and Duties of Life Tenant:
1. voluntary waste
2. permissive waste
3. ameliorative waste
c. Class Gifts
i. Rule of Convenience: class closes when any one of class entitled to
distribution [a rule of construction only; T’s intent can override]
II. FUTURE INTERESTS
a. To Grantor
i. Reversion
ii. Possibility of reverter: FSD
iii. Right of entry: FSCS
b. To Grantee
i. Remainder
1. Vested vs. Contingent
ii. Executory Interest
1. Shifting vs. Springing
c. Rule Against Perpetuities
i. watch for fertile octogenarian
ii. 1Unborn spouse
iii. Options and Rights of First Refusal subject
iv. Charity to Charity EXCEPTION
III. CONCURRENT OWNERSHIP
a. JTWROS
b. Tenancy in common
i. Ouster
ii. Contribution
IV. NON-FREEHOLD ESTATES (ie, landlord-tenant)
a. Tenancy for years
b. Periodic tenancy
c. Tenancy at will
d. Tenancy at sufferance
V. DUTIES OF LANDLORD AND TENANT
a. Tenant’s duties – L’s remedies
b. Landlord’s duties – T’s remedies
i. implied warranty of habitability
ii. Implied covenant of quiet enjoyment
VI. ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBLEASES
a. Assignments
i. POE; POC
ii. Covenants in lease run with the land if the touch and concern the land
iii. Non-Assignment clauses
VII. CONDEMNATION OF LEASEHOLD
i. Partial taking vs. Full taking
VIII. LANDLORD’S TORT LIABILITY
a. General Rule: No duty; therefore, no liability
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 b. 5 EXCEPTIONS
IX. FIXTURES
a. Intent
b. Trade fixture
c. Timing of removal
X. EASEMENTS
a. Easement appurtenant:
b. Easement in gross
c. Creation of easements
i. Express agreement
ii. By Implication
iii. By Prescription
d. Transfer of Easements
e. Use of easements
f. Repair of Easements
g. Termination of Easements
XI. LICENSES & PROFITS
a. License
i. Failed easement
ii. irrevocable license
b. Profits
XII. RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS
a. Covenants running with the land at LAW
i. Four reqs for a covenant to run with the land at law:
b. Equitable Servitudes
i. Three reqs to enforce equitable servitude:
ii. ES’s in subdivisions (aka reciprocal negative servitudes)
iii. Equitable defenses to enforcement
iv. Termination of ES
XIII. ADVERSE POSSESSION
a. Elements
b. Constructive adverse possession
c. AP against cotenants
d. Future interest issues
e. Tacking
f. Disability
XIV. CONVEYANCING
a. Contract of sale
i. SF applies: note part performance exception
ii. equitable conversion
iii. implied warranty of Marketable title
iv. Time for performance
v. Defects on property
b. Deed
i. Execution of Deed
ii. Delivery of Deed
iii. Estoppel by deed (aka “doctrine of after-acquired title”)
iv. Deed to dead person
XV. COVENANTS OF TITLE
a. Present covenants: personal to grantee; don’t run with land
b. Future covenants: arise when grantee disturbed in possession; run with land
c. Damages for breach of covenants
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 XVI. RECORDING OF INTERESTS
a. CL RULE: first in time, first in right (recording irrelevant)
b. Recording Statutes
i. Notice: give value and take without notice, it is yours and no need to
record
ii. Race-Notice: BFP without notice AND first to record
iii. Pure Race: Notice irrelevant; record first and you win
c. Shelter Rule Exception
XVII. SECURITY INTERESTS
a. Mortgage:
i. absolute deed with promise to reconvey
ii. sale/leaseback with option to repurchase
b. Deed of trust
c. Installment land K
d. Equity of redemption
e. Multiple mortgages
i. Priorities
ii. Foreclosure effects
f. Transfers of Security Interests
i. Holder in Due Course Rule
XVIII. SPECIAL RIGHTS
a. Right of Support
i. Lateral support
ii. Subjacent support
b. Water rights
i. Rivers and Lakes
1. Riparian
2. Prior appropriation
ii. Underground water
iii. Surface water
1. natural flow
2. common enemy

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 Torts Checklist
I. Intentional Torts
a. to the Person
i. Battery
ii. Assault
iii. False imprisonment
iv. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
b. to Property
i. Trespass to land
ii. Trespass to chattels
iii. Conversion
c. Defenses
i. Consent
ii. Self-defense, defense of 3rd persons, defense of property
iii. Necessity: public and private
iv. NO incapacity defense to intentional torts
v. IGNORE hypersensitive Ps
vi. Assumption of risk NO defense

II. Dignitary and Economic Torts

a. Defamation
i. Damages: proof required
ii. First amendment issues
iii. Defenses
1. consent, truth, privilege (absolute/qualified)
b. Invasion of Right to Privacy
i. Appropriation
ii. Intrusion
iii. False Light
1. NB: recovery for emotional damages
iv. Public disclosure of private facts
v. Defenses to Privacy Torts
1. consent
2. privilege ONLY for false light and disclosure
c. Fraud
d. Inducing breach of contract
e. Malicious prosecution
f. Abuse of process

III. Negligence
a. Duty
i. Foreseeability
ii. Standard of care
1. reasonably prudent person under circumstances
iii. Special standards of care
1. children
2. professionals
3. owner/occupier of land
a. undiscovered trespasser
b. discovered/anticipated trespasser
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 c. licensee
d. invitee
iv. Statutory standards of care: negligence per se
v. Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
b. Breach
i. NB: res ipsa loquitur: must have physical injury
c. Causation
i. Actual/factual cause
1. but for
2. substantial factor
3. unascertainable cause
ii. Proximate/legal cause
d. Damages
i. Take P as you find him: Eggshell skull
e. Defenses
i. Traditional contributory negligence
ii. Implied assumption of the risk
iii. Comparative fault: pure vs. partial/modified

IV. Strict Liability

a. Injuries caused by animals

b. Ultrahazardous activities
c. Products Liability
i. Other actions: negligence, warranty, battery, fraud
ii. Physical injury required; mere economic injury not enough

V. Nuisance

VI. Miscellaneous

a. Vicarious liability
i. Certain relationships
ii. Always a 2nd choice theory; party must be totally passive
b. Making Ds pay
i. Comparative contribution
ii. Indemnification
c. Loss of consortium
i. Loss of services; society; sex

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