jurisdiction
[`dʒʊrɪs'dɪkʃən]
n. 司, 判, 辖

[] 律辖, 判



jurisdiction
[ noun ]

1. (law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law

<noun.attribute>
courts having jurisdiction in this district

2. in law; the territory within which power can be exercised

<noun.location>

Jurisdiction \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.

Note: 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.