subject matter jurisdiction

subject matter jurisdiction
subject matter jurisdiction see jurisdiction

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. . 1996.

subject matter jurisdiction
n.
A court’s power to hear cases related to a particular kind of subject matter.

The Essential Law Dictionary. — Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. . 2008.


subject matter jurisdiction
USA
A court's power to preside over a particular type of case. In the US, states usually have at least one court with subject matter jurisdiction over all types of cases brought in that state (unless the cause of action is reserved exclusively for the federal courts, such as bankruptcies and patent disputes). By contrast, federal courts in the US are courts of limited jurisdiction, meaning they only have subject matter jurisdiction over certain types of cases. However, even if a federal court has subject matter jurisdiction over a particular case, this does not mean that the case could not have been brought in state court instead (unless the cause of action is reserved exclusively for the federal courts). Some of the most common types of cases over which federal courts have jurisdiction are:
• Cases based on violations of federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1331).
• Cases between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 (28 U.S.C. § 1332).
• Admiralty or maritime cases (28 U.S.C. § 1333).
• Bankruptcy cases (28 U.S.C. § 1334).
Subject matter jurisdiction should be distinguished from personal jurisdiction, which is a court's power to adjudicate the rights and obligations of persons within its jurisdictional reach.

Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms. . 2010.


subject matter jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear and determine cases of the general class to which the proceedings in question belong.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.


subject matter jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear and determine cases of the general class to which the proceedings in question belong.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Subject-matter jurisdiction — is the authority of a court to hear cases of a particular type or cases relating to a specific subject matter. For instance, bankruptcy court has the authority to only hear bankruptcy cases.Subject matter jurisdiction must be distinguished from… …   Wikipedia

  • subject matter jurisdiction — noun In the law of civil procedure, the ability of a court to hear a case based on the authority granted to the court to hear that particular type of case. The divorce court was overturned when it rendered a criminal conviction against a party,… …   Wiktionary

  • subject matter jurisdiction — Term refers to court s power to hear and determine cases of the general class or category to which proceedings in question belong; the power to deal with the general subject involved in the action. Standard Oil Co. v. Montecatini Edison S. p. A …   Black's law dictionary

  • subject-matter jurisdiction — Term refers to court s power to hear and determine cases of the general class or category to which proceedings in question belong; the power to deal with the general subject involved in the action. Standard Oil Co. v. Montecatini Edison S. p. A …   Black's law dictionary

  • Subject matter — may refer to:* patentable subject matter (or statutory subject matter), defining whether patent protection is available * subject matter jurisdiction, determining the kinds of claims or disputes over which a court has jurisdiction * Subject… …   Wikipedia

  • subject matter — I noun content, contents, context, framework, import, material, matter, scope, study, substance, sum and substance, text, writing associated concepts: subject matter jurisdiction II index content (meaning) …   Law dictionary

  • jurisdiction of the subject matter — Power of a particular court to hear the type of case that is then before it. Alfaro v. Meagher, 27 Ill.App.3d 292, 326 N.E.2d 545, 548. Term refers to jurisdiction of court over class of cases to which particular case belongs, Ferree v. Ferree,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • jurisdiction of the subject matter — Power of a particular court to hear the type of case that is then before it. Alfaro v. Meagher, 27 Ill.App.3d 292, 326 N.E.2d 545, 548. Term refers to jurisdiction of court over class of cases to which particular case belongs, Ferree v. Ferree,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • subject matter of action — See jurisdiction of the subject matter; subject of the action …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • jurisdiction of the subject matter — The power of a court to hear and determine cases of the general class to which the action in question belongs. Schillerstrom v Schillerstrom, 75 ND 667, 32 NW2d 106, 2 ALR2d 271. A jurisdiction not dependent upon the state of facts which may… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

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