Includes bibliographical references and index.

An introduction to the civil action and procedure -- Personal jurisdiction -- Notice and opportunity to be heard -- Subject matter jurisdiction -- Venue -- Raising jurisdictional and related challenges -- Pleadings and judgments based on pleadings -- Discovery -- Adjudication with and without a trial or a jury -- What law applies in federal court -- The preclusion doctrines -- Scope of litigation : joinder and supplemental jurisdiction -- Special multiparty litigation : interpleader and the class action -- Appeals -- Alternative models of dispute resolution.