Kerr et al. v. Watts was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1821 that involved a dispute over land ownership between two parties, Kerr and Watts. The court found that Kerr had been wrongfully dispossessed of his property when it was sold to Watts without proper notice or due process being followed. In its ruling, the court held that any sale of real estate must be preceded by public notice so as to give all interested parties an opportunity to contest it if they choose; otherwise, such sales are voidable at law and may be set aside upon proof of fraud or mistake on behalf of either party involved in the transaction. Furthermore, the court also established precedent for future cases involving similar disputes regarding land ownership rights: namely, that individuals have a right to their property unless there is clear evidence proving otherwise through legal proceedings conducted with due diligence and fairness towards both sides involved in the matter at hand.

In Kerr et al. v. Watts, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a state court had jurisdiction over an action brought by citizens of one state against citizens of another in which the amount in controversy exceeded $500. The majority opinion held that such actions were not within the jurisdiction of any state court and must be brought before a federal circuit court or district court instead. Justice Johnson dissented from this decision, arguing that it would lead to unnecessary delays and expense for litigants who could otherwise have their cases heard quickly and inexpensively in a local forum with competent judges familiar with similar matters. He further argued that there was no constitutional basis for denying states authority over these types of civil suits between citizens of different states as long as they did not involve questions arising under treaties or laws passed by Congress itself.