Jurisdiction
The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case � defined by subject matter, territory, and pecuniary limits.
Full Definition
Jurisdiction is the power of a court to adjudicate a matter and give an enforceable judgment. Types: (1) territorial � geographic area within which the court can act; (2) pecuniary � value of the claim up to which the court can adjudicate; (3) subject-matter � category of cases the court can hear; (4) appellate � power to hear appeals from lower courts; (5) original � power to hear cases directly without going through a lower court.
In Indian Law
Section 26 CrPC (Section 22 BNSS): every offence shall be tried by a court within whose local jurisdiction it was committed. CPC Section 9: civil courts have jurisdiction over all suits unless barred. Section 20 CPC: suits for compensation for wrong can be filed where the defendant resides or the wrong was committed. Lack of jurisdiction makes a judgment void (not merely voidable) � it can be challenged at any time.