In legal terms, what does 'jurisdiction' mean?

Jurisdiction refers specifically to the authority granted to a court to hear a case and make legal decisions regarding it. This encompasses not just the geographical area where the court operates but also the types of cases it is permitted to adjudicate. For example, a family court has jurisdiction over family law matters, while a criminal court deals with criminal cases. Understanding jurisdiction is fundamental in determining whether a court can validly hear a case, as it influences where a lawsuit can be filed and the applicable laws.

The other options, while related to legal concepts, do not directly define jurisdiction. The limits of legal representation pertain to the scope of what a legal representative can argue or advocate for in a case. The process of legal appeal refers to challenging a court's decision in a higher court, which involves procedural rules different from jurisdiction. The division of governmental powers deals with the distribution of authority across different branches or levels of government and does not specifically involve the concept of a court's authority to hear and decide cases.