Conflict of Laws

I. Domicile

A. Meaning and legal consequences
B.  State’s law by which determined

II. Jurisdiction of courts

A. Types of jurisdiction

1. In personam
2. In rem and quasi in rem

B. Bases of jurisdiction
C. Notice and opportunity to be heard
D. Limits on exercise of jurisdiction

1. Traditional limitations

a. Choice of forum by agreement
b. Fraud, force, and privilege
c. Forum non conveniens

2.  Constitutional limitations (due process)

III. Choice of law

A. Basic concepts

1. Legal characterization
2. Renvoi
3. Depecage
4. Proof of foreign law

B. Choice of law theories

1. Traditional “vested rights” approach
2. “Contemporary policy approaches” (including the interest analysis approach and the substantial relationship approach of Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws)

C. Application in specific areas

1. Torts
2. Contracts
3. Property
4. Corporations
5. Family law
6. Substance vs. procedure

D. Defenses against application of foreign law

1. Local public policy
2. Penal laws
3. Revenue laws

E. Constitutional limitations

1. Due process
2. Full faith and credit
3. Privileges and immunities

F. Federal-state conflicts

1. Federal supremacy
2. Erie doctrine

IV. Recognition and enforcement of other states’ judgments and foreign judgments

A. Full faith and credit
B. Effect: claim and issue preclusion
C. Defenses to recognition or enforcement
D. Family law judgments

*Conflict of Laws issues are embedded in the other MEE topic areas. They do not appear as stand-alone questions.