Legal Definitions - pendent jurisdiction

Pendent jurisdiction is a legal doctrine that allows federal courts to hear state-law claims that are related to federal claims, even if they do not meet the requirements for federal subject-matter jurisdiction. This doctrine was created to make the legal process more efficient and fair for everyone involved.

Let's say that a person is suing their employer for violating their civil rights under federal law. The same person also wants to sue their employer for breach of contract under state law. Even though the breach of contract claim does not meet the requirements for federal subject-matter jurisdiction, the federal court may still hear it under pendent jurisdiction because it is related to the civil rights claim.

Another example could be a case where a person is suing a company for negligence under state law. The same person also wants to sue the company for violating federal antitrust laws. Even though the negligence claim does not meet the requirements for federal subject-matter jurisdiction, the federal court may still hear it under pendent jurisdiction because it is related to the antitrust claim.

These examples illustrate how pendent jurisdiction allows federal courts to hear related state-law claims that are connected to federal claims.