The disagreement between the majority and Justice Jackson highlights an important methodological tension. How broadly should courts interpret federal rules when checking for conflicts? For lawyers and litigants, this case confirms that the notice pleading system established by the 1938 federal rules sets a ceiling on what federal courts can require at the complaint stage. States cannot condition access to federal court on evidentiary showings that contradict this fundamental design, regardless of how they label such requirements or what substantive purposes they serve. Medical malpractice reform through affidavit requirements remains available in state courts, but federal courts remain governed by their own procedural system.

music for the podcast provided by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dimitry Taras