ARTHUR D. SPATT, District Judge.
On July 2, 2013, the Plaintiff Nitesh Ahluwalia (the "Plaintiff") commenced this action by filing a Complaint against the Defendants St. George's University, Limited; St. George's University, LLC.; University Support Services, LLC; C.V. Rao, individually and as Dean of Students, St. George's University ("Rao"); Stephen Weitzman, individually and as Dean, St. George's University School of Medicine ("Weitzman"); James Robinson, individually and as Assistant Dean of Students, St. George's University ("Robinson"); Danielle Rosen ("Rosen"); and Does I-XX, inclusive (collectively, the "Defendants"). The Plaintiff brings claims alleging (1) breach of contract; (2) negligent hiring, training and supervision; (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress; (4) defamation, libel and slander; and (5) intentional interference with contractual relations and prospective advantage. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs; and injunctive relief.
On August 22, 2013, the Defendant Rosen filed an Answer to the Complaint and alleged a counter claim against the Plaintiff for assault and battery. Rosen filed an Amended Answer on September 11, 2013.
On September 20, 2013, the Defendants St. George's University, LLC; St. George's University, Limited; and University Support Services, LLC filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure ("Fed. R. Civ. P.") 12(b)(5) and 12(b)(6). Also on September 20, 2013, the Defendants Rao, Weitzman and Robinson filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(2), 12(b)(5) and 12(b)(6). Thereafter, on October 10, 2013, despite having filed an Answer and Amended Answer, the Defendant Rosen also filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. 12(b)(6).
On April 2, 2014, the Defendants St. George's University LLC; St. George's University, Limited; University Support Services, LLC; Rao; Weitzman and Robinson (collectively, the "moving Defendants") filed a letter motion advising the Court that this action should be dismissed without prejudice because the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. On April 3, 2014, the Court directed the moving Defendant to file a formal motion in accordance with the Local Rules and this Court's Individual Rules.
On April 14, 2014, the moving Defendants filed a second letter and respectfully asked that the Court consider their request to dismiss this action without prejudice for want of subject matter jurisdiction without a formal motion. The moving Defendants explained that under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3), a formal motion was not required in order for the Court to dismiss for lack of subject jurisdiction, because, once the absence of subject matter jurisdiction becomes apparent, dismissal is mandatory. The moving Defendants also pointed out that the Plaintiff has not filed any opposition to their request.
In light of the moving Defendants' April 2, 2014 and April 14, 2014 letters, the Court will now consider whether dismissal of this action is appropriate due to a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. In this case, the Plaintiff brings only state law causes of action. Generally, in order to exercise federal subject-matter jurisdiction over a state law claim, courts "require [ ] complete diversity between all plaintiffs and all defendants [.]"
Relevant here, "diversity does not exist within the meaning of [28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2) or 1332(a)(3)] where on both sides of the dispute the parties are all foreign entities, or where on one side there are citizens and aliens and on the opposite side there are only aliens."
Here, the Plaintiff is a citizen and resident of Canada. The Defendant St. George's University Limited is an educational institution located on the island of Grenada, West Indies. It is incorporated and has its primary place of business in Grenada, and is therefore a citizen of Grenada.
As such, regardless of the citizenship of the other parties to this action, because there are foreign parties on both sides of this case, diversity is absent and the Court may not exercise subject matter jurisdiction over the lawsuit.
Therefore, the Court dismisses the Plaintiff's action without prejudice for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and directs the Clerk of the Court to close this case.