Judicial and Legal Terms

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Inferior Court

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A court with limited jurisdiction and authority, subordinate to higher courts such as the Supreme Court.

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Jurisdiction

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The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case.

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Concurrent Jurisdiction

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A situation where two or more courts have the authority to hear and decide the same case.

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Plaintiff

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The person or party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint.

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Defendant

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The person or party against whom a lawsuit or criminal charge is brought.

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Original Jurisdiction

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The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time, as opposed to on appeal.

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Appellate Jurisdiction

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The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts and decide if errors were made.

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Judicial Restraint

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A philosophy in which judges limit their own power by deferring to the decisions of legislatures or past precedent unless clearly unconstitutional.

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Precedent

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A previous court decision that serves as a rule or guide for future cases with similar issues.

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Judicial Activism

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A philosophy in which judges interpret the Constitution or laws broadly to address societal issues and promote change.