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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 Maine, as in other states, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a specific nature. The Maine Constitution, along with state statutes, outlines the jurisdiction of various courts within the state. For instance, the Maine District Courts handle most general civil cases involving claims up to a certain monetary limit, family matters, and some criminal cases, while the Superior Courts have general jurisdiction and can hear any case not specifically assigned to another court. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court, serving as the state's highest court, primarily handles appeals. Federal courts, on the other hand, have jurisdiction over cases involving federal law, the U.S. Constitution, or disputes between states or between a state and citizens of another state. The jurisdiction of a court in Maine is also determined by legislative acts from the Maine Legislature or the United States Congress, which can expand or limit the types of cases a court may hear.

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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Maine State Code

Maine State Code

Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Articles