Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction, the authority exercised by a nation, a judicial body, or a legislative body over people, places, and property. In law, the term usually refers to the right of a court to hear and adjudicate legal matters. The jurisdiction of the court may be determined according to various criteria. Subject matter is one of the most common. Courts are set up to handle specific types of cases; for example, criminal courts have jurisdiction to hear criminal cases; probate courts try cases concerning the estates of deceased people; and divorce courts hear suits for divorce.

In a more general sense, jurisdiction may apply to the territory over which a nation has control, including the land area, the adjacent sea, and the airspace above. It may also refer to the authority of an international body to make decisions binding on national entities.