What is a key consideration when assessing supplemental jurisdiction?

The key consideration when assessing supplemental jurisdiction is whether the claims share a common origin. Supplemental jurisdiction, as outlined in 28 U.S.C. § 1367, allows a federal court to hear additional claims that are related to the primary claim already before it, provided these additional claims arise from a common nucleus of operative fact. This means that if a plaintiff has a federal claim and also wants to bring state law claims that are related to that same set of facts, those claims can be considered under supplemental jurisdiction. This is important because it promotes judicial efficiency and avoids multiple lawsuits for closely related issues.

Other considerations, while relevant in different contexts, do not primarily determine supplemental jurisdiction. For instance, the basis of a claim on federal statutes relates more to the original jurisdiction rather than supplemental. The amount in controversy is a requirement for diverse cases but isn’t a factor for supplemental jurisdiction, which applies regardless of the amount. Venue appropriateness is a procedural matter concerning where a case should be heard but does not directly impact the determination of whether supplemental jurisdiction exists.