Legal Jurisdiction

/ˈliːɡəl dʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The legal authority granted to a court or other body to hear and decide cases within a specific geographic area or over certain types of legal matters.
    The court established that it had legal jurisdiction over the dispute based on the location of the parties involved.
  2. (n.) The extent or scope of laws and regulations a particular governing body or agency can enforce or administer.
    The agency's legal jurisdiction includes regulating environmental compliance within the state.

Forms

  • legal jurisdiction

Commentary

In drafting, distinguish between types of jurisdiction (personal, subject matter, territorial) as these affect the court's power and are critical in legal challenges.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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