Legal Definitions - transfer of a case

Definition: The transfer of a case refers to the lawful authority to remove a case from the jurisdiction of one court or judge to another. It is also known as the transfer of a cause.

Example: A case may be transferred from a state court to a federal court if a litigant files the necessary papers and shows a valid basis for federal-court jurisdiction. This is known as civil-rights removal, and it can occur for various reasons, such as when a person has been denied or cannot enforce a civil right in the state court.

Explanation: The transfer of a case involves moving it from one court or judge to another. This can occur for various reasons, such as when a litigant wants to move a case from a state court to a federal court. The example provided illustrates how a case can be transferred from a state court to a federal court for civil-rights removal. This can happen when a person has been denied a civil right in the state court or is being sued for performing an act under color of authority derived from a law providing for equal rights.