Jurisdiction over the Action: Defining Court Authority and Scope
Definition & Meaning
Jurisdiction over the action, also known as subject-matter jurisdiction, refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases related to specific types of issues or subjects. For instance, a probate court can only handle probate matters. In the United States, state court systems are typically organized into divisions, including criminal, civil, family, and probate. A court lacks the authority to hear cases that fall outside its assigned division. Additionally, the U.S. Constitution designates certain cases, such as those involving ambassadors, admiralty and maritime issues, and cases where the United States is a party, to federal courts exclusively.
Legal Use & context
This term is commonly used in various legal practices, including:
- Civil Law: Courts must establish jurisdiction over the subject matter before proceeding with civil cases.
- Criminal Law: Jurisdiction determines which court can hear criminal cases based on the nature of the crime.
- Family Law: Family courts specialize in matters such as divorce and child custody, requiring specific jurisdiction.
- Probate Law: Probate courts handle cases related to wills and estates.
Users can manage some legal processes themselves with the right tools, such as templates from US Legal Forms, which are drafted by qualified attorneys.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Here are a couple of examples illustrating jurisdiction over the action:
- Example 1: A probate court hears a case regarding the distribution of a deceased person's estate. This court has the authority to make decisions only in probate matters.
- Example 2: A federal court must hear a case involving a dispute between a U.S. citizen and a foreign ambassador regarding diplomatic immunity. (hypothetical example)