Subject matter jurisdiction defines a court’s power to decide a lawsuit involving a particular subject matter, and to render an enforceable judgment. A court generally has jurisdiction when the particular claim raised in the case is within its constitutional jurisdiction—as provided by the state constitution or the U.S. Constitution—or because jurisdiction has been mandated by the state legislature or the United States Congress.

In Connecticut, subject matter jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear cases of a particular type or cases relating to specific subject matter. The Connecticut Constitution, along with state statutes, outlines the scope of subject matter jurisdiction for different courts within the state. For example, the Connecticut Superior Court has general jurisdiction and can hear a wide range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, and housing matters. On the other hand, probate courts have jurisdiction over matters such as estates, trusts, and guardianships. The jurisdiction of federal courts in Connecticut, as in other states, is determined by the U.S. Constitution and federal laws enacted by Congress. Federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and cases where there is diversity of citizenship among the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds a certain threshold. It is important for a case to be filed in a court with the appropriate subject matter jurisdiction, as filing in a court without it can result in the dismissal of the case.