jurisdiction

The legal power to make decisions about a person, place, or subject.

• This court has jurisdiction over the case.
• The police acted outside their jurisdiction.
• Who has jurisdiction over this dispute?

How to use it: jurisdiction over someone/something (The court has jurisdiction over these disputes.)

Similar words: authority

Common phrases: have jurisdiction, under someone’s jurisdiction, jurisdiction over something

An area where a particular government, court, or other authority has power.

• The rules differ between jurisdictions.
• She moved to a jurisdiction with lower taxes.
• Several jurisdictions have banned the practice.

Similar words: territory, district

Common phrases: different jurisdiction, within a jurisdiction, across jurisdictions

The power of a country or its government to rule and make laws.

• The state claims jurisdiction over these islands.
• The treaty limits national jurisdiction at sea.
• These waters remain under the country’s jurisdiction.

How to use it: jurisdiction over something (The government exercises jurisdiction over the territory.)

Similar words: sovereign authority

Common phrases: national jurisdiction, sovereign jurisdiction, state jurisdiction