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jurisdiction legal definition
noun
- The power wielded by a government over its subjects, their property, and the land and natural resources within its boundaries.
- A courtÂ’s authority over persons or property brought before or appearing before it.
- The geographical area within which a governmentÂ’s or a courtÂ’s power may be applied.
ancillary jurisdiction
The authority of a court to decide secondary or subsidiary
claims raised by a case properly before it.
appellate jurisdiction
An appeals courtÂ’s power of review of the decisions of
lower courts.
concurrent jurisdiction
The overlapping jurisdiction of two or more courts over
the same cause of action.
exclusive jurisdiction
The sole court or forum in which an action may be heard or
tried, as no other courts or tribunals have authority over the person or the
subject matter.Â
federal question jurisdiction
The authority of the federal district courts to
try cases that raise an issue of federal or constitutional law.
in personam jurisdiction
The courtÂ’s authority over an individual who
resides or is found within the courtÂ’s geographical area.
in rem jurisdiction
The courtÂ’s authority to adjudicate rights in real or
personal property located within the courtÂ’s geographical area.
jurisdictional amount
The minimum or maximum amount to invoke a particular courtÂ’s
jurisdiction over the matter; in some lower courts, e.g., small claims court,
there may be a limitation above which relief must be sought in a higher court;
in federal court, a minimum amount in controversy is required in certain cases,
e.g., diversity cases.Â
limited jurisdiction
Jurisdiction over only certain types of cases, or claims
under certain financial limits or subject to other restrictions.
original jurisdiction
A courtÂ’s status as the first court that has authority to
hear a particular claim.
pendent jurisdiction
A courtÂ’s authority over claims that would not ordinarily
be brought before it, but that are secondary or subsidiary to claims properly
before it.
subject matter jurisdiction
A courtÂ’s authority over particular types of cases
or of relief.
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