Which of the following is a case type that falls under exclusive federal jurisdiction?

• A. Patent law cases
• B. Bankruptcy cases
• C. Family law disputes
• D. Traffic violations

Answer: (B)

Exclusive federal jurisdiction means some cases are heard only in federal courts because federal law sets up a nationwide framework and the matters require uniform rules across the country. Bankruptcy fits this pattern because the Bankruptcy Code creates a nationwide system administered by the U.S. bankruptcy courts, which are part of the federal judiciary. Debtors file in federal district courts, and the proceedings—asset liquidation, prioritization of claims, and debt discharge—are governed entirely by federal law. State courts do not handle bankruptcy cases, ensuring consistency no matter where the debtor lives. The other options involve matters typically governed by state law (family law disputes and traffic violations), or, while they are brought in federal courts for federal questions (like patent law), they do not illustrate the clear, exclusive framework that bankruptcy does.