term:

Separable Controversy

separable controversy n

: a separate and independent claim or cause of action that by itself is removable to the federal courts even though it is joined with others that are not removable NOTE: If a case involves a separable controversy, the entire case may be removed and determined as a whole, or the court may remand those matters that were not removable and determine the rest.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.