Limited jurisdiction refers to the specific authority granted to a court or judicial body to hear and decide only certain types of cases or matters within a defined scope. Unlike courts with general jurisdiction, which can hear a wide range of cases, courts with limited jurisdiction are restricted to handling particular categories of disputes, such as small claims, traffic violations, family law matters, or specialised areas like bankruptcy or probate. The limits on jurisdiction may be established by statute, constitution, or court rules. Courts with limited jurisdiction typically focus on resolving disputes efficiently and effectively within their designated areas of expertise, ensuring that cases are heard by judges with relevant expertise and facilitating access to justice for litigants.
n. courts’ authority over certain types of cases such as bankruptcy, claims against the government, probate, family matters, immigration and customs or limitations on courts’ authority to try cases involving maximum amounts of money or value.
Limited jurisdiction determines what courts have authority over certain cases. For example, cases involving bankruptcy, probate and family law are heard only by certain courts with proper jurisdiction over those cases. In the United States, most courts have limited jurisdiction to hear certain cases, set precedent or establish case law.
Federal courts such as the Supreme Court, Federal District Courts, Federal Appellate Courts, and Federal Bankruptcy Courts, also have jurisdiction over certain issues which have been delegated to them by the United States’ Constitution.
State courts are also courts of limited jurisdiction, and they cannot decide a case if exclusive power is vested in the Federal Government. For example, state courts do not preside over bankruptcy cases or decide an issue which is constitutional in nature. Common state courts include courts which hear cases for divorce, child custody and small claims.
Limited jurisdiction refers to a court’s authority or power to hear only certain types of cases or matters, as defined by law.
Limited jurisdiction courts are restricted to hearing specific types of cases or matters, such as traffic violations, small claims, or family law issues, whereas general jurisdiction courts have broader authority to hear a wide range of civil and criminal cases.
Some examples of courts with limited jurisdiction are:
- Small claims courts
- Traffic courts
- Juvenile courts
- Probate courts
- Family courts
Cases are assigned to courts with limited jurisdiction based on the subject matter or type of case involved. For example, traffic violations are typically heard in traffic courts, while small claims disputes are heard in small claims courts.
Yes, cases heard in courts with limited jurisdiction can often be appealed to a higher court with broader jurisdiction, such as a state appellate court or a federal district court, depending on the specific rules and procedures governing appeals.
The factors determining whether a case falls within a court’s limited jurisdiction include the subject matter of the case, the amount of money at stake (if applicable), the parties involved, and the specific laws or statutes governing the court’s jurisdiction.
Judges in courts with limited jurisdiction may be required to have specialised training or experience in the types of cases they hear, such as family law or juvenile law, to effectively adjudicate the matters before them.
Courts with limited jurisdiction may decline to hear cases outside their authority or transfer them to a court with proper jurisdiction. Parties may also challenge the court’s jurisdiction through legal motions or appeals.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
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