Under the well-pleaded complaint rule, when does a federal district court have subject-matter jurisdiction based on a federal question under 28 U.S.C. § 1331?
Whenever any party might raise a substantial federal issue during the litigation, regardless of what the complaint alleges.
Only when the complaint contains a federal claim and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
When the defendant is expected to rely on a federal statute as a defense to the plaintiff's state-law claim.
When the plaintiff's properly pleaded complaint expressly asserts a cause of action created by federal law.
Federal-question jurisdiction exists only when the plaintiff's own cause of action, as set out on the face of the initial complaint, is created by or necessarily depends on federal law. Anticipated defenses, potential counterclaims, or the amount in controversy do not satisfy the rule. If at least one claim in the complaint arises under federal law, the federal court may hear that claim and may exercise supplemental jurisdiction over related state-law claims.
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