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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

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 Hawaii, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a specific nature. The jurisdiction of Hawaii's courts is determined by the Hawaii State Constitution, relevant state statutes, and applicable federal laws. The Hawaii State Constitution and laws enacted by the Hawaii State Legislature establish the scope of jurisdiction for state courts, including which types of cases each court can hear. For example, the Hawaii Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, while the Hawaii Family Courts have jurisdiction over family-related matters. Additionally, federal laws and the U.S. Constitution may confer jurisdiction to federal courts for certain cases, such as those involving federal laws, disputes between states, or issues of constitutional rights. It is important for a court to have subject matter jurisdiction to render a legally enforceable judgment. If a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any judgment or order it issues could be voided.

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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

As a LegalFix Member You Will Be an Important Client of Local Law Firms

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Hawaii State Code

Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Hawaii State Code

Articles