When both parties are from different states, what type of case is it?

When both parties are from different states, the scenario describes a diversity of citizenship case. This type of case is significant in the context of federal jurisdiction because it allows a federal court to hear a case that would otherwise fall under state law, based primarily on the parties being residents of different states.

Diversity of citizenship cases are rooted in the concern of fairness in legal proceedings between parties from different states, as there may be biases inherent in state courts. For a case to qualify under diversity jurisdiction, there must also be an amount in controversy that exceeds a specified threshold, allowing federal courts to take jurisdiction over such disputes. This aims to provide an impartial forums for litigants and to promote consistency in the application of the law across state lines.

The other types of cases listed, while relevant in certain contexts, do not specifically relate to the scenario of parties hailing from different states. Civil cases can encompass a wide variety of legal disputes but do not inherently involve parties from different states. Federal question cases pertain to issues arising under federal laws or the Constitution, whereas constitutional cases generally deal with the interpretation of constitutional principles. Therefore, the specificity of the diversity of citizenship is what makes it the precise answer in this context.