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206 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

continuing legal education (CLE)
Training in the law (usually short term) that a person receives after completing his or her formal legal training.
traditional paralegal
A paralegal who is an employee of an attorney.
independent contractor
One who operates his or her own business and contracts to do work for others who do not control many of the administrative details of how the work is performed.
PI
Personal Injury (tort) cases
transactional paralegal
One who provides paralegal services for an attorney who represents clients in transactions such as entering contracts, incorporating a business, closing a real estate sale, or planning an estate.
listserv
A program that manages computer mailing lists automatically, including the receipt and distribution of messages from and to members of the list.
independent paralegal
An independent contractor (1) who sells his or her paralegal services to, and works under the supervision of, one or more attorneys; or (2) who sells his or her paralegal services directly to the public without attorney supervision. Also called freelance paralegal and legal technician. In some states, however, the paralegal and legal assistant titles are limited to those who work under attorney supervision.
unauthorized practice of law (UPL)
Conduct by a person who does not have a license to practice law or other special authorization needed for that conduct.
substantive legal work
Nonclerical tasks that require legal experience or training; tasks that justify an award of paralegal fees.
contingent fee
A fee that is paid only if the case is successfully resolved by litigation or settlement. (The fee is also referred to as a contingency.) A defense contingent fee (also called a negative contingency) is a fee for the defendant's attorney that is dependent on the outcome of the case.
paralegal fee
A fee that an attorney can collect for the nonclerical work of his or her paralegal on a client case.
overhead
The operating expenses of a business (e.g., office rent, furniture, insurance, and clerical staff) for which customers or clients are not charged a separate fee.
American Rule
The winning party cannot recover attorney fees and costs of litigation from the losing party unless (1) a statute authorizes such payment, (2) a contract between the parties provides for such payment, or (3) the court finds that the losing party acted in bad faith in the litigation. See also English Rule.
English Rule
The losing side in litigation must pay the winner's attorney fees and costs.
Fee shifting
The process of forcing one party to pay another's attorney fees and costs in litigation.
statutory fee case
A case applying a special statute that gives a judge authority to order the losing party to pay the winning party's attorney and paralegal fees.
lodestar
A method of calculating an award of attorney fees authorized by statute. The number of reasonable hours spent on the case is multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate. Other factors might also be considered above the lodestar in setting the fee, e.g., the quality of representation, any delay in receiving payment, and the risk at the outset of the litigation that the prevailing attorney will receive no fee.
Law Clerk
(1) An attorney's employee who is in law school studying to become an attorney or who has graduated from law school and is waiting to pass the bar examination. If law clerks work only in the summer, they are sometimes called summer associates. (2) One who provides research and writing assistance to a judge. (3) A nonattorney who is a "trained professional doing independent legal work" in Ontario, Canada.
contemporaneous
Existing or occurring in the same period of time; pertaining to records that are prepared on events as the events are occurring or shortly thereafter.
leveraging
Making profit from the income-generating work of others.
billable hours quota
A minimum number of hours expected from a timekeeper on client matters that can be charged (billed) to clients per week, month, year or other time period.
rule of three
A general guideline used by some law firms to identify budget expectations from hiring paralegals; grose revenue generated through paralegal billing should equal three times a paralegal's salary.
realization rate
The hourly rate that a law office actually collects from the billable hours submittd by an attorney or paralegal.
office politics
The interaction among coworkers who do not always have the same goals, expectations, abilities, or timetables for performing the work of the office.
performance review
An analysis of the extent to which a person or program has met designated objectives. Also called performance appraisal.
flextime
A system that allows employees some control over aspects of their work schedule such as the times that they arrive at and leave from work during the day.
quid pro quo harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly is made a condition of employment decisions such as hiring or promotion.
hostile environment harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct explicitly or implicitly and unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
The federal agency that investigates employment discrimination that violates federal law (www.eeoc.gov)
networking
Establishing contacts with people who might become personal or professional resources.
spam
Unsolicited e-mail messages, often consisting of commercial advertising; unsolicited junk mail.
practice of law
Using legal skills to assist a specific person in resolving his or her specific legal problem.
regulation
Any governmental or nongovernmental method of controlling conduct. See also Administrative regulation.
accreditation
The process by which an authoritative organization (usually nongovernmental) evaluates and recognizes an institution or a program of study as meeting specified qualifications or standards.
approval
The recognition that comes from accreditation, certification, licensure, registration, or other form of acknowledgement.
certification
The process by which a nongovernmental organization grants recognition to a person who has met the qualifications set by that organization.
code
1) Any set of rules that regulates conduct 2) A collection of laws or rules organized by subject matter regardless of when they were enacted.
ethics
Rules that embody standards of behavior to which members of an organization are expected to conform.
guideline
1) Suggested conduct that will help an applicant obtain accreditation, certification, licensure, registration, or approval 2) A statement of policy or procedure, often with options on carrying it out.
licensure
The process by which an agency of government grants permission to persons meeting specified qualifications to engage in an occupation and often to use a particular title.
limited licensure
The process by which an agency of government grants permission to persons meeting specified qualifications to engage in designated activities that are now customarily (but not always exclusively) performed by another license holder. Also called specialty licensure.
registration
The process by which individuals or institutions list their names on a roster kept by an agency of government or by a nongovernmental organization. Also called enrollment.
attorney in fact
One authorized to act in place of or for another, often in a business transaction.
power of attorney
1) A document that authorizes another to act as one's agent or attorney in fact 2) The authority itself.
statement of principles
Guidelines that try to identify the activities of specified law-related occupations that do not constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
adversarial
Involving conflict or adversaries. (also see hearing)
adversary system
A method of resolving a legal dispute whereby the parties (along or through their advocates) argue their conflicting claims before a neutral decision maker.
counterclaim
A claim by one side in a case (usually the defendant) that is filed in response to a claim asserted by an opponent (usually the plaintiff).
pro se
(on one's own behalf) Appearing for or representing oneself. Also called in propria persona and pro per.
continuance
The adjournment or postponement of a proceeding until a later date.
ex parte
With only one side present; involving one party only. An ex parte order is a court order requested by one party and issued without notice to the other party. See also hearing.
uncontested
Unchallenged; without opposition.
jailhouse lawyer
An incarcerated paralegal, usually self-taught, who has a limited right to provide other inmates with legal services if the institution does not provide adequate alternatives to such services. Also called a writ writer.
Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
The statute that governs procedures before federal administrative agencies. Many states have their own APA for procedures before state administrative agencies.
registered agent
A nonattorney authorized to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
enrolled agent
An attorney or nonattorney who is authorized to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service (www. naea.org).
administrative law judge (ALJ)
A government officer who presides over a hearing at an administrative agency. Also called hearing examiner.
Supremacy Clause
The clause in the U.S. Constitution (art. VI, cl.2) that has been interpreted to mean that when valid federal law conflicts with state law, federal law controls.
page 52 debate
A debate on whether there should be limited licensing for paralegals (based on a recommendation in favor of such licensing on page 52 of a report of an American Bar Association commission)
document preparer
A person who assists someone in the preparation of forms and documents using information provided by a self-represented person.
scrivener
A professional copyist; a document preparer.
legal technician
A self-employed paralegal who works for several different attorneys, or a self-employed paralegal who works directly for the public. Sometimes called an independent paralegal or a freelance paralegal.
limited practice officer (LPO)
A nonattorney in Washington State who has the authority to select and prepare approved legal documents for designated property transactions.
legal document assistant (LDA)
A nonattorney in California who is authorized to charge fees for providing "self-help" service (without attorney supervision) to anyone representing himself or herself in a legal matter.
unlawful detainer assistant (UDA)
A nonattorney in California which is authorized to charge fees for providing assistance or advice (without attorney supervision) to landlords or tenants in actions for the possession of land.
bankruptcy petition preparer (BPP)
A nonattorney who is authorized to charge fees for preparing (without attorney supervision) a bankruptcy petition or any other bankruptcy document that a debtor will file in a federal court.
pro bono
Concerning or involving legal services that are provided for the public good (pro bono publico) without fee or compensation. Sometimes also applied to services given at a reduced rate. Shortened to pro bono
prepaid legal services
A plan by which a person pays premiums to cover future legal services. Also called legal plan and group legal services.
attorney attestation
A signed statement by an attorney that a paralegal applying for membership in an association meets one or more of the criteria of the association.
CLA/CP
The certification credential bestowed by the National Association of legal Assistants, CA: (Certified Legal Assistant); CP: (Certified Paralegal). www.nala.org
PP (Professional Paralegal)
The certification credential bestowed by NALS the Association for Legal Professionals.
RP or PACE Registered Paralegal
The certification credentials bestowed by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations: RP (registered paralegal) PACE (Paralegal Advanced Certification Examination).
entry-level certification
Certification acquired by meeting eligibility requirements that do not include work experience.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
The federal statute that regulates conditions of employment such as when overtime compensation must be paid. See also exempt employee (www.dol.gov/esa/whd/flsa).
preempt
Displace or take precedence over. The noun is preemption. Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, federal laws take precedence over (preempt) state laws when Congress 1) expressly mandates the preemption, 2) regulates an area so pervasively that an intent to preempt the entire field may be inferred , or 3) enacts a law that directly conflicts with state law.
tort
A civil wrong (other than a breach of contract) that causes injury or other damage for which our legal system deems it just to provide a remedy such as compensation.
vicarious liability
Liability imposed on one party for the conduct of another, based solely upon the status of the relationship between the two (e.g., employer and employee)
respondeat superior
Let the master (boss) answer. An employer is responsible (liable) for the wrongs committed by an employee within the scope of employment.
scope of employment
That which is foreseeably done by an employee for an employer under the latter's specific or general control.
deep pocket
1) An individual, a business, or another organization with resources to pay a potential judgement. 2) Sufficient assets for this purpose. The opposite of shallow pocket.
negligence
Harm caused by failure to use reasonable care.
malpractice
Professional misconduct or wrongdoing such as an ethical violation, crime, negligence, battery, or other tort.
go bare
To engage in an occupation or profession without malpractice (liability) insurance.
process
The means (e.g., a summons, writ, or other court order ) used by the court to acquire or exercise its power or jurisdiction over a person. See also service of process.
malicious prosecution
A tort with the following elements: 1) To initiate or procure the initiation of civil or criminal legal proceedings; 2) without probable cause; 3) with malice or an improper purpose; and 4) the proceedings terminate in favor of the person against whom the proceedings were brought.
abuse of process
A tort consisting of 1) the use of a civil or criminal process, 2) for a purpose for which the process is not designed, 3)resulting in actual damage.
occurrence policy
Insurance that covers all occurrences (e.g. a negligent error or omission) during the period the policy is in effect, even if the claim is not actually filed until after the policy expires.
claims made policy
Insurance that covers only claims actually filed (i.e., made)during the period in which the policy is in effect.
sanction
1) Penalty or punishment imposed for unacceptable conduct. 2) Permission or approval.
integrated bar association
A state bar association to which an attorney must belong in order to practice law in the state. Also called a mandatory or unified bar association.
multidisciplinary practice (MDP)
A partnership consisting of attorneys and nonlegal professionals that offers legal and nonlegal services.
paralegal code
Rules and guidelines covering ethical issues involving paralegals.
disbarment
The revocation or termination of the right to practice law as punishment for unethical conduct.
suspension
The removal of an attorney from the practice of law for a specified minimum period, after which the attorney can apply for reinstatement.
reprimand
An official declaration that an attorney's conduct was unethical. The declaration does not affect the attorney's right to practice law. A private reprimand is not disclosed to the public; a public reprimand is.
probation
1) Supervised punishment in the community in lieu of incarceration. 2) allowing an attorney to continue to practice, but under specified conditions, e.g., submitting to periodic audits or making restitution to a client.
competent
1) Using the knowledge and skill that are reasonably necessary to represent a particular client 2) Allowed (having the legal capacity) to give testimony because the person understands the obligation to tell the truth, has the ability to communicate, and has knowledge of the topic of his or her testimony. The noun is competency.
clinical education
A training program in which students work on real cases under attorney supervision.
statute of limitations
A law stating that civil or criminal actions are barred if not brought within a specified period of time.
dilatory
Causing delay, usually without merit or justification.
minimum-fee schedule
A bar association list of the lowest fees an attorney can charge for specific kinds of legal services.
fee splitting
A single client bill covering the fees of two or more attorneys who are not in the same firm. Also called fee sharing.
forwarding fee
A fee received by one attorney from another to whom the first attorney referred a client. Also called a referral fee.
fee cap
A maximum amount or maximum percentage that can be charged as a fee in particular kinds of cases.
block billing
Grouping multiple tasks under a single time charge rather than describing each task separately and assigning the actual time associated with each task. The timekeeper enters the total time spent working on a case without itemizing the time spent on specific tasks for the case.
double billing
Fraudulently charging a client twice for the same service.
padding
Adding something without justification; adding unnecessary material in order to make something larger.
task padding
Inflating a client's bill by charging for tasks that were not performed.
time padding
Inflating a client's bill by charging for time that was not spent.
at-will employee
An employee who can quit or be terminated at any time and for any reason. An employee with no union or other contractual protection.
client security fund
A fund (often run by a bar association or foundation) used to compensate victims of designated kinds of attorney misconduct.
attestation clause
A clause stating that you saw (witnessed) someone sign a document or perform other tasks related to the vailidty of the document.
insider trading
Improperly using material, nonpublic information to trade in the shares of a company.
pirated software
Software that has been placed (loaded) in a computer that is not authorized by the terms of the purchase or lease of the software.
spoilation
Intentionally destroying, altering, or concealing evidence.
frivolous position
A position taken on behalf of a client that the attorney cannot support by a good-faith argument based on existing law or on the need for a change in existing law.
fiduciary
One whose duty is to act in the interests of another with a high standard of care. Someone in whom another has a right to place great trust and to expect great loyalty.
client trust account
A bank account controlled by an attorney that contains client funds that may not be used for office operating expenses or for any personal purpose of the attorney.
commingling
Mixing what should be kept separate, e.g., depositing client funds in a single account with general law firm funds or with an attorney's personal funds.
retainer
1) An amount of money (or other property) paid by a client as a deposit or advance against future fees, costs, and expenses of providing services. 2) The act of hiring or engaging the services of someone, usually a professional. (The verb is retain)
notice of appearance
A formal notification to a court by an attorney that he or she is representing a party in the litigation.
cure
To correct or overcome; to remove a legal defect or error.
letter of disengagement
A letter sent to a client formally notifying him or her that the law office will no longer be representing the client.
letter of nonengagement
A letter sent to a prospective client that explicitly states that the law office will not be representing him or her.
confidential
That which should not be revealed; pertaining to information that others do not have a right to receive.
privileged
Protected by a privilege, e.g., does not have to be disclosed.
consent
To challenge; to raise a defense against a claim.
attorney-client privilege
A client and an attorney can refuse to disclose any communication between them if the purpose of the communication was to facilitate the provision of legal services to the client.
discoverable
Pertaining to information or other materials an opponent can obtain through deposition, interrogatories, or other discovery device.
work-product rule
Notes, working papers, memoranda, or similar things prepared by or for an attorney in anticipation of litigation are not discoverable by an opponent, absent a showing of substantial need. They are protected by privilege.
waiver
The express or implied relinquishment of a right or privilege. Examples of an implied relinquishment include the failure to claim it at the proper time or acting in a manner that is inconsistent with its existence. The verb is waive.
metadata
Data about data. Data about a computer document that are hidden within the document itself, e.g, earlier versions of the document.
encrypted
Converted into a code that renders the data incomprehensible until they are reconverted to a readable format by an authorized recipient.
redact
To edit or prepare a document for publication or release, often by deleting, altering, or blocking out text that you do not want disclosed.
conflict of interest
Divided loyalty that actually or potentially harms someone who is owed undivided loyalty.
bias
Prejudice for or against something or someone. An inclination or tendency to think or to act in a certain way. A danger of prejudgement.
disinterested
Not working for one side or the other in a controversy; not deriving benefit if one side of a dispute wins or loses; objective.
multiple representation
Representing more than one side in a legal matter or controversy. Also called common representation.
adverse interests
A goal or claim of one person that is different from or opposed to the goal or claim of another.
informed consent
Agreement to let something happen after obtaining a reasonable explanation of the benefits and risks involved.
duty of loyalty
The obligation to protect the interests of a client without having a similar obligation to anyone else that would present an actual or potential conflict.
imputed disqualification
All attorneys in the same firm are ineligible to represent a client because one of the attorneys or other employees in the firm has a conflict of interest with that client. Also called vicarious disqualification.
tainted
Having or causing a conflict of interest; contaminated. See also Chinese Wall
tainted paralegal
A paralegal who brings a conflict of interest to a law office because of the paralegal's prior work at another law office.
Chinese Wall
Steps taken to prevent a tainted employee (e.g., attorney or paralegal) from having any contact with the case of a particular client in the office because the employee has created a conflict of interest between that client and someone else. A Chinese Wall is also called an ethical wall and a cone of silence. A tainted employee is also called a contaminated employee. Once the Chinese wall is set up around the tainted employee, the latter is referred to as a quarantined employee.
quarantined
Isolated. See also Chinese Wall
rebuttable presumption
An inference of fact that can be overcome (rebutted) by sufficient contrary evidence.
career client list
A confidential list of every client and matter you worked on in any law office from the beginning of your legal career to the present time that can be used to help determine whether any of your future work might create a conflict of interest.
conflicts check
A determination of whether a conflict of interest exists that might disqualify a law office from representing a client or from continuing the representation. See also conflicts specialist.
conflicts specialist
A law firm employee, often a paralegal, who helps the firm determine whether a conflict of interest exists between prospective clients and current or former clients. Also called a conflicts analyst or conflicts technician.
lateral hire
Anyone hired from another law office.
anticontact rule
An advocate should not contact an opposing party without permission of the latter's attorney; if the party is unrepresented, the advocate must not convey the impression that the advocate is disinterested.
Overreaching
Taking unfair advantage of another's naivete' or other vulnerability, especially by deceptive means.
ex parte communication
A communication with the court in the absence of the attorney for the other side.
pecuniary
Relating to money. (A pecuniary interest is a financial interest.)
solicitation
1) An appeal or request for clients or business 2) An attempt to obtain something by persuasion or application.
ambulance chasing
Approaching accident victims (or others with potential legal claims) to encourage them to hire a particular attorney. If the attorney uses someone else to do the soliciting, the latter is called a runner. If this other person uses deception or fraud in the solicitation, he or she is sometimes called a capper or a steerer. Se also court runner.
real-time
Occurring now; happening as you are watching; able to respond immediately.
barratry
The crime of stirring up quarrels or litigation; persistently instigating lawsuits, often groundless ones. The illegal solicitation of clients.
runner
1) One who solicits business, especially accident cases. 2) An employee who delivers and files papers.
advertising
Calling the attention of the public to a service or product for sale (Advertising on the Internet is sometimes called netvertising.)
Model Rule 5.3
The rule in the ABA Model Rules of Professional conduct governing the responsibility of different categories of attorneys for the misconduct of paralegals and other nonattorney assistants in a law firm.
ratify
1) To adopt or confirm a prior act or transaction, making one bound by it. 2) To give formal approval.
tickler
A system designed to provide reminders of important dates.
mitigate
To reduce or minimize the severity of impact. To render less painful.
legal advice
The application of laws or legal principles to the facts of a particular person's legal problem. See also professional judgement.
closing
The meeting in which a transaction is finalized. Also called a settlement.
deposition
A method of discovery by which parties and their prospective witnesses are questioned outside the courtroom before trial. A pretrial question-and-answer session to help parties prepare for trial. The person questioned is called the deponent.
depose
Ask questions of a witness in a deposition.
second chair
A seat at the counsel's table in the courtroom used by an assistant to the trial attorney during the trial.
outsourcing
Paying an outside company or service to perform tasks usually performed by one's own employees.
transcript
A word-for-word acccount. A written copy of oral testimony. Transcribed means taken down in a word-for-word account.
subpoena
A command to appear at a certain time and place.
shepardize
To us Shepard's Citations (in book form, on CD-ROM, or online) to obtain validation and other data on whatever you are shepardizing. See also citator.
federalism
The division of powers between the federal government and the state governments.
legislative branch
The branch of government with primary responsibility for making or enacting the law.
executive branch
The branch of government with primary responsibility for carrying out, executing, or administering the laws.
judicial branch
The branch of government with primary responsibility for interpreting laws by resolving disputes that arise under them.
public policy
Principles inherent in customs and societal values that are embodied in a law.
opinion
1) A court's written explanation of how it applied the law to the facts to resolve a legal dispute. Also called a case. Opinions are printed in volumes called reporters. See also concurring opinion, dissenting opinion, majority opinion, and plurality opinion. 2) An unpublished opinion (also called unpublished case) is an opinion designated by the court as not for official publication even though you may be able to read it online or in special reporters, 3) An inference from a fact, 4) A belief or conclusion expressing a value judgement that is not objectively verifiable.
statute
A law passed by the state or federal legislature that declares, commands, or prohibits something. Also called act and legislation. (Statute, act, and legislation are sometimes used in a broader sense to include laws passed by any legislature, which would include ordinances passed by a city council.)
constitution
The fundamental law that creates the branches or government, allocates power among them, and defines some basic rights of individuals.
administrative regulation
A law written by an administrative agency designed to explain or carry out the statutes, executive orders, or other regulations that govern the agency. Also called administrative rule.
administrative decision
An administrative agency's resolution of a controversy (following a hearing) involving the application of the regulations, statutes, or executive orders that govern the agency. Sometimes called an administrative ruling.
charter
The fundamental law of a municipality or other local unit of government authorizing it to perform designated governmental functions.
ordinance
A law passed by the local legislative branch of government (e.g., city council) that declares, commands, or prohibits something. (Same as a statute, but at the local level of government.)
rules of court (court rules)
The procedural laws that govern the mechanics of litigation (practice and procedure) before a particular court. Also called court rules.
executive order
A law issued by the chief executive pursuant to specific statutory authority or to the executive's inherent authority to direct the operation of governmental agencies.
Opinion of the Attorney General
Formal legal advice given by the chief law officer of the government to another government official or agency.
checks and balances
An allocation of governmental powers whereby one branch of government can block, check, or review what another branch wants to do (or has done) in order to maintain a balance of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
judicial review
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a statute or other law, including the power to refuse to enforce it if the court concludes that it violates the constitution.
common law
1) Court opinions, all of case law, 2) the legal system of England and of those countries such as the United States whose legal system is based on England's 3) The case law and statutory law in England and in the American colonies before the American Revolution. 4) Judge-made law in the absence of controlling statutory law or other higher law. See also at common law and enacted law.
civil law system
The legal system of many Western European countries (other than England) that places a greater emphasis on statutory or code law than do countries (such as England and the United States) whose common law system places a greater emphasis on case law.
at common law
All the case law and statutory law in England and in the American colonies before the Revolution. The phrase also sometimes means judge-made law that existed before it was changed by statute. See also common law
precedent
A prior decision covering a similar issue that can be used as a standard or guide in a later case.
stare decisis
Stand by things decided. Courts should decide similar cases in the same way unless there is good reason for the court to do otherwise. In resolving an issue before it, a court should be reluctant to reject precedent - a prior opinion covering a similar issue.
cause of action
A legally acceptable reason for suing. Facts that give a party the right to judicial relief.
derogation
A partial repealing or abolishing of a law, as by a subsequent act that limits its scope or force.
consideration
A bargained for promise, act or forbearance. Something of value exchanged between the parties.
inquisitorial system
A method of resolving a legal dispute in some civil law countries in which the judge has a more active role in questioning the witnesses and in conducting the trial than in an adversary system.
equity
Justice administered according to fairness in a particular case, as contrasted with strictly formalized rules once followed by common law courts.
specific performance
An equitable remedy that orders the performance of a contract according to the precise terms agreed upon by the parties.
injunction
An equitable remedy that orders a person or organization to do or to refrain from doing something.
constitutional court
A court created within the constitution. (at the federal level, they are called Article III courts because they are created within Article III of the U. S. Constitution.)
legislative court
A court created by the legislature. (at the federal level, they are called Article I courts because Article I of the U.S. Constitution give Congress the authority to create special courts.)
jurisdiction
1) The power of a court to decide a matter in dispute. 2) The geographic area over which a particular court system or other government unit has authority. 3) The scope of power or authority that a person or entity can exercise. See also personal jurisdiction, in rem jurisdiction, quasi in rem jurisdiction, and subject matter jurisdiction.