Which term describes the authority of a court to hear and decide cases?

Which term describes the authority of a court to hear and decide cases?

• A. Jurisdiction
• B. Docket
• C. The bench
• D. Precedent

Answer: (A)

Jurisdiction is the authority a court has to hear and decide cases. This power might be limited by the type of case (subject-matter jurisdiction), who is involved (personal jurisdiction), and where the case is located (territorial jurisdiction). Without it, a court cannot issue a valid judgment, even if the parties want to proceed or the case is properly filed. The other terms refer to different concepts: a docket is the court’s schedule of cases to be heard; the bench means the judges who preside over cases; precedent is prior judicial decisions that guide future rulings.

Jurisdiction is the authority a court has to hear and decide cases. This power might be limited by the type of case (subject-matter jurisdiction), who is involved (personal jurisdiction), and where the case is located (territorial jurisdiction). Without it, a court cannot issue a valid judgment, even if the parties want to proceed or the case is properly filed.

The other terms refer to different concepts: a docket is the court’s schedule of cases to be heard; the bench means the judges who preside over cases; precedent is prior judicial decisions that guide future rulings.