Ju`ris*dic"tion (?), n.
[L. jurisdictio; jus, juris, right, law + dictio a saying, speaking: cf. OF. jurisdiction, F.
juridiction. See Just, a., and Diction.]
1. (Law) The legal power, right, or authority of a particular court to hear and determine causes, to try criminals, or to execute justice; judicial authority over a cause or class of causes; as, certain suits or actions, or the cognizance of certain crimes, are within the jurisdiction of a particular court, that is, within the limits of its authority or commission.
2.
The authority of a sovereign power to govern or
legislate; the right of making or enforcing laws; the power or
right of exercising authority.
To live exempt
From Heaven's high
jurisdiction.
Milton. You wrought to be
a legate; by
which power
You maim'd the jurisdiction of all bishops.
Shak. 3. Sphere of authority; the limits within which any particular power may be exercised, or within which a government or a court has authority.
&fist; Jurisdiction,
in its most
general sense, is the power
to make, declare, or apply the law. When confined to the judiciary department, it is what we denominate the judicial power, the right of
administering justice through the laws, by the means which the laws have provided for that purpose. Jurisdiction is limited to place or territory, to persons, or to particular subjects. Duponceau.
Hear it pronounced