Jurisdiction Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction (noun)

1. The authority given to a court or judge to make legal decisions and judgments. For example, a court may have jurisdiction to hear a particular type of case.
2. The geographical area within which a court's power is valid. A court can only make decisions on a case if it is within its jurisdiction.

For cases involving a large amount of money, some lower courts may not have jurisdiction. In such cases, the trial must be moved to a court that has the proper jurisdiction.