Home > Research Legal Advice > Lawsuits / Disputes > Can an Intervenor suddenly create diversity jurisdiction in a civil case...
Asked 11 months ago - Chicago, IL
FlagIf a case was filed by a Plaintiff in state court and the proper conditions did not exist (no federal question and no diversity jurisdiction) for Defendants to remove the case, when an intervenor joins a case midway through discovery as a Plaintiff, can Defendants then attempt to remove the case to federal court if diversity jurisdiction then exists due to the location of the intervenor? Or, is the case stuck in state court because of the original conditions of diversity jurisdiction not being met with the original Plaintiff/Defendants?
If the intervenor is a necessary party, the Defendants can attempt to remove the case to federal court on diversity jurisdiction. I imagine the court's inquiry will delve into whether the intervenor is indeed a necessary party to the dispute.
You'd better seek and retain top notch legal counsel on this. Don't try to fight this fight without an attorney.
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Under 28 USC ยง 1446, "if the case stated by the initial pleading is not removable, a notice of removal may be filed within thirty days after receipt by the defendant, through service or otherwise, of a copy of an amended pleading, motion, order or other paper from which it may first be ascertained that the case is one which is or has become removable."
It seems that the defendant would be allowed to at least attempt removal based on the facts you provided (although the other parties can always argue for remand). This is really a question of fact and needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Without more information about your case, it's hard to give a definite answer.
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