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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 Tennessee, subject matter jurisdiction refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a specific nature. The Tennessee Constitution, along with state statutes, delineates the scope of jurisdiction for different courts within the state. For instance, the Tennessee Supreme Court has general jurisdiction over all matters, while lower courts such as Chancery Courts, Circuit Courts, and Criminal Courts have jurisdiction over certain types of cases as defined by law. For example, Chancery Courts handle matters of equity, Circuit Courts generally handle civil lawsuits and appeals from lower courts, and Criminal Courts deal with felonies and misdemeanors. Additionally, federal laws and the U.S. Constitution may grant or limit jurisdiction in certain areas, such as cases involving federal law or interstate disputes. It is essential for a court to have subject matter jurisdiction to render a legally binding judgment; otherwise, the judgment can be challenged and potentially deemed unenforceable.

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Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Tennessee State Code

Tennessee State Code

Civil procedure

subject matter jurisdiction

Articles