Under Rule 12h, by suggestion of the parties or otherwise that the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter, the court will dismiss action. What triggers this dismissal?

• A. Suggestion of the Parties or Otherwise That the Court Lacks Jurisdiction of the Subject Matter
• B. A Party Fails to File a Response
• C. The Court Initiates Its Own Dismissal
• D. An Order of Default Is Entered

Answer: (A)

Rule 12h covers when a case can be dismissed for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The dismissal is triggered specifically when someone—the parties or the court itself—signals that the court does not have jurisdiction over the subject matter. In other words, any suggestion by a party that the court lacks authority, or a sua sponte realization by the court, prompts dismissal to avoid proceeding in a case the court isn’t empowered to hear.

This is distinct from other events like a party failing to file a response or the court entering a default order, which relate to other procedural consequences and not to jurisdiction. The critical point is that lack of subject-matter jurisdiction can be raised at any time and can lead to dismissal once a suggestion or acknowledgment of the jurisdiction problem appears.