Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction. This term is derived from the Latin word jurisdictio, which signifies the "declaration of jus or law." He who bad jurisdictio was said "jus dicere" to "declare the law." The whole office (officium) of him who declared the law was accordingly expressed by the word jurisdictio. Jurisdiction in England means an authority which a Court of Law or Equity has to decide matters that are litigated before it, or questions that are tried before it. The Supreme Court of Judicature has jurisdiction over all England and Wales; but the jurisdiction of other courts is limited to certain territorial space and to certain kinds of business or matters in dispute. When the jurisdiction of a court extends all over the Kingdom it may still be restricted to certain causes which it is empowered to try. If proceedings be commenced against anyone before a court which has no jurisdiction in the matter, the defendant may answer by alleging that the court has no jurisdiction, which is termed pleading to the jurisdiction. When anyone has been convicted by a court having no jurisdiction, the proceedings may be moved into the Queen's Bench division of the High Court by the writ of certiorari and quashed. [Certiorari.]