Jurisdiction is a legal term that refers to a court’s right to decide a case. It involves the power of a court to hear a particular kind of case, or to decide upon a particular subject matter. To put it simply, jurisdiction is the power of a court to hear and determine a case.
There are several types of jurisdiction, including subject matter jurisdiction, which is when a court is empowered to decide a case stemming from a particular field of law, such as family, probate, or criminal law; venue jurisdiction, which is when a court is assigned by geographic location; and territorial jurisdiction, which is when a court is assigned by the state where the dispute occurs. Depending on the court, some may even have international jurisdiction.
It’s important for business professionals to understand the concept of jurisdiction when it comes to various disputes. When a contract lawsuit is filed, for instance, the opposing parties need to be sure they file in a court with jurisdiction over their case. In other words, they have to make sure they’re in a court that could actually enforce any order or judgment that may be rendered.
Failing to determine whether a court has jurisdiction over a particular situation can be a costly mistake. A business professional should always seek the advice of a qualified attorney to make sure they’re filing a lawsuit in the right court.