Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction refers to the authority of a state or court to make legal decisions and enforce laws within a specific geographic area or over particular subjects. It relates closely to sovereignty, which is a state's ultimate power to govern itself without outside interference. Essentially, jurisdiction determines who has the right to rule on legal matters and enforce laws. Different types of jurisdiction exist, such as territorial (based on location), personal (over individuals), and subject matter (over specific areas of law). Understanding jurisdiction helps clarify which laws apply and where they can be enforced.