Personal Jurisdiction
/ˈpɜːrsənəl dʒʊrɪsˈdɪkʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) The court's authority to adjudicate over a particular individual or entity in a legal proceeding.
The court must establish personal jurisdiction before proceeding with the case against the defendant.
- (n.) The power of a court to exercise control over persons within its geographic territory or those who have sufficient minimum contacts with it.
Personal jurisdiction requires that the defendant has meaningful contacts with the forum state.
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Personal jurisdiction ensures fair notice and opportunity to be heard; courts assess it based on territorial presence or sufficient connection to the forum.
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.