Words / C1

joorr-is-DIKSHUN/ˌdʒʊərɪsˈdɪkʃn/

Jurisdiction is official power to decide legally, or the territory of that power: under UK jurisdiction, outside our jurisdiction. Authority and power are everyday; a jury (already in the dictionary) is not the same word. Jurisprudence (this batch) is legal theory. Do not claim jurisdiction you do not have, then ignore the people who do.

Meaning

The official power to make legal decisions, or the area of that power.

Examples

• “The complaint sat outside our jurisdiction; ethics still had to log it.”
• “Authority is everyday. A court has jurisdiction over a case. Jurisprudence is the philosophy of law. “Not our department” still needs a handover, not a bin.”

Good to know

Legal authority / its territory. Everyday: authority. Cousin: jurisprudence (legal theory). Mix-up: jury. Hand over what you cannot hear.

Near in meaning

authority

New