What is the intent of the Erie Doctrine in federal cases?

The intent of the Erie Doctrine is to require federal courts to apply state law in certain cases, particularly in civil cases where the federal court is exercising diversity jurisdiction. This principle was established in the landmark Supreme Court case Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins (1938), which aimed to eliminate the discrepancies that arose when federal courts applied their own rules in cases that should have been determined by state law.

The Erie Doctrine ensures that in situations where federal jurisdiction is based on diversity of citizenship—meaning the parties involved are from different states—the federal court must follow the relevant state laws and procedural rules. This promotes fairness by preventing a situation where a party might receive different outcomes based solely on whether the case is heard in state or federal court. Consequently, this doctrine reinforces the concept of federalism by respecting the authority of state law over issues where state interests are significant.