Well-pleaded complaint rule

Definition - Noun
: a rule of procedure that federal question jurisdiction cannot be acquired over a case unless an issue of federal law appears on the face of a properly pleaded complaint
The well-pleaded complaint rule is not satisfied by a defense based on federal law, including a defense of federal preemption, or by anticipation of such a defense in the complaint.



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Based on Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©2001.
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