To render a binding judgment, a court must have both subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy (the subject of the dispute) and personal jurisdiction over the parties (plaintiff and defendant). While subject matter jurisdiction refers to the court’s power to hear a particular type of suit, personal jurisdiction—also known as in personam jurisdiction—concerns the court’s power to bind a particular person or party.

A special appearance is a procedure in civil litigation, and the purpose of a special appearance is to object to the court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the defendant or the defendant’s property on the ground that such person or property is not subject to the court’s jurisdiction. A defendant (person or entity) who has been sued in a state other than the defendant’s primary residence will often challenge the court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the nonresident defendant.

In Louisiana, as in other states, a court must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction to render a binding judgment. Subject matter jurisdiction is the court's authority to hear a specific type of case, which is typically defined by statute or constitution. Personal jurisdiction, on the other hand, refers to the court's power to make a decision affecting the rights of the specific parties involved. Louisiana courts can establish personal jurisdiction over a party if that party has sufficient contacts with the state, such as committing a tort within the state, owning property in the state, or conducting business in the state. The concept of minimum contacts is derived from the Due Process Clause of the U.S. Constitution and ensures that defendants are not bound by judgments of courts with which they have no meaningful connection. A special appearance is a tool used by defendants to challenge the court's personal jurisdiction without submitting to it. In Louisiana, this is governed by the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, and a defendant must raise the jurisdictional defense before taking any other steps in the case to avoid inadvertently consenting to the court's jurisdiction.