What is “pendent claim jurisdiction”?

Pendent claim jurisdiction refers to a form of supplemental jurisdiction that allows federal courts to hear state law claims that are related to a federal question claim already before the court. This jurisdiction is invoked when the federal claim and the state claim share a common nucleus of operative fact, meaning that they are so intertwined that it would be inefficient and impractical to try them separately. Essentially, this allows the court to resolve all claims that arise from the same set of facts in a single legal proceeding, promoting judicial efficiency and consistency in decisions.

This concept is significant because it enables courts to ensure that litigants can have all relevant claims heard in one forum, thus avoiding multiple lawsuits and the potential for conflicting judgments. In doing so, it strengthens the federal judicial system's ability to administer justice effectively when faced with both federal and state law issues.