Which situation would create federal subject-matter jurisdiction based on a federal question?

Which situation would create federal subject-matter jurisdiction based on a federal question?

• A. Only if the defendant asserts a federal defense.
• B. When the plaintiff's well-pleaded complaint raises a federal question.
• C. When the case involves a state law contract.
• D. When the court sua sponte raises jurisdiction.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that federal-question jurisdiction is created when the plaintiff’s own complaint raises a federal issue on its face. Under the well-pleaded complaint rule, the basis for federal jurisdiction comes from what the plaintiff pleads, not from a potential federal defense the defendant might raise or from defenses or counterclaims that could appear later. So, if the plaintiff asserts a claim that arises under federal law—meaning a federal statute or the Constitution is an element of the claim—that creates federal jurisdiction, even if the defendant has no federal defense. A purely state-law contract claim doesn’t by itself establish federal jurisdiction unless another basis exists (such as a federal question in the complaint or complete diversity with the required amount). The fact that a court could raise jurisdiction sua sponte does not supply the federal question itself; the federal issue must be present in the plaintiff’s complaint.

The key idea is that federal-question jurisdiction is created when the plaintiff’s own complaint raises a federal issue on its face. Under the well-pleaded complaint rule, the basis for federal jurisdiction comes from what the plaintiff pleads, not from a potential federal defense the defendant might raise or from defenses or counterclaims that could appear later. So, if the plaintiff asserts a claim that arises under federal law—meaning a federal statute or the Constitution is an element of the claim—that creates federal jurisdiction, even if the defendant has no federal defense. A purely state-law contract claim doesn’t by itself establish federal jurisdiction unless another basis exists (such as a federal question in the complaint or complete diversity with the required amount). The fact that a court could raise jurisdiction sua sponte does not supply the federal question itself; the federal issue must be present in the plaintiff’s complaint.