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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 South Carolina, subject matter jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear cases of a particular type or cases relating to specific subject matter. For instance, the South Carolina Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over matters such as divorce, child custody, and support, while the Probate Court handles wills and estates. The Circuit Court is the state's trial court of general jurisdiction and can hear a wide range of civil and criminal cases. The subject matter jurisdiction of these courts is established by the South Carolina Constitution and state statutes. Additionally, federal courts, such as the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, have jurisdiction over matters involving federal law, as well as certain cases between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds a statutory threshold. The allocation of jurisdiction is designed to ensure that cases are heard by the court most competent to adjudicate the specific issues presented.

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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Individual & Family Legal Plan

Articles

South-Carolina State Code

South-Carolina State Code

Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Articles