Primary Jurisdiction
/ˈpraɪmɛri dʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) A judicial doctrine allowing courts to defer to the expertise of administrative agencies when legal issues fall within the agency's specialized jurisdiction.
The court invoked the doctrine of primary jurisdiction to refer the matter to the federal regulatory agency.
Related terms
Commentary
Use when describing a court's decision to seek expert agency interpretation before ruling, emphasizing deference to agency expertise in regulatory matters.
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.