jurisdiction

Pronunciation

Here's the IPA phonetic spelling of "jurisdiction" for American English:

• /d͡ʒʊɹɪsˈdɪkʃən/ (juh-RIS-dik-shun)

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:

• ju (d͡ʒʊ):

• d͡ʒ - voiced palatal-alveolar affricate (similar to the "j" sound in "jump")

• u - close back rounded vowel (like the "oo" in "boot")

• RIS (ɹɪs):

• ɹ - alveolar approximant (similar to the "r" sound in "run")

• ɪ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")

• s - voiceless alveolar fricative (like the "s" sound in "sip")

• dik (dɪk):

• d - voiced alveolar plosive (like the "d" in "dog")

• ɪ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel (like the "i" in "bit")

• k - voiceless velar plosive (like the "k" in "kit")

• shun (ʃən):

• ʃ - voiceless postalveolar fricative (similar to the "sh" sound in "ship")

• ə - schwa (mid central vowel sound, the most common vowel sound in English)

• n - voiced alveolar nasal (like the "n" in "sip")

Word Form Variations

"Jurisdiction" primarily functions as a singular noun. It refers to the legal authority of a court or governing body within a specific area.

There isn't a common plural form used for "jurisdiction" itself. However, depending on the context, you might use phrases to indicate a broader concept:

• Multiple jurisdictions: This refers to several different legal areas, like "The company operates in multiple jurisdictions with varying tax laws."

• Jurisdictional boundaries: This emphasises the geographical limits of legal authority, like "The dispute arose due to a disagreement over jurisdictional boundaries."

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun:

• Primary Definition: The legal authority of a court or governing body to hear and decide cases, or to administer laws within a specific geographical area. (Synonyms: authority, power, legitimacy, domain, purview; Antonyms: limited authority, lack of power)

• Example: "The local court lacked jurisdiction over the international trade dispute."

Adjective (less common):

• Definition: Relating to the legal authority of a court or governing body. (Synonyms: legal, judicial, governmental, authoritative; Antonyms: informal, non-judicial)

• Example: "The judge made a jurisdictional decision to dismiss the case." (Note: This usage is less frequent than the noun form.)

Examples of Use

1. Books:

• Legal Thriller: "The defence attorney argued that the court lacked jurisdiction because the crime occurred outside the country's borders." (John Grisham, The Appeal)

2. Newspapers:

• International Dispute: "The United Nations is debating which court has jurisdiction over the war crimes committed in the recent conflict." (The New York Times)

3. Online Publications:

• Tech Industry Regulation: "The European Union is pushing for stricter data privacy laws, creating a clash with US companies used to operating under their own jurisdictional regulations." (TechCrunch)

4. Entertainment Media:

• Fantasy Novel: "The rogue mage fled the kingdom, seeking refuge in a land with a different magical jurisdiction, hoping to escape punishment." (Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Thorns and Roses - This example uses a fictionalised concept of jurisdiction applied to magic)

• Crime Drama (TV Show): "The detectives are frustrated because the suspect committed the crime just across the state line, putting it outside their jurisdiction." (Note: Many crime dramas explore jurisdictional conflicts)

5. Public Discourse:

• Social Media Discussion: "Can online platforms be held legally responsible for content posted by users? The question of jurisdiction in cyberspace is a complex one." (Twitter discussion)

• Local Politics: "The town council is debating whether they have jurisdiction to regulate noise pollution from a nearby airport." (Community meeting)
  

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Jurisdiction

While "jurisdiction" is a legal term, it doesn't appear as frequently in famous quotes compared to more everyday words. Here are a few quotes that capture the essence of jurisdiction, though some use synonymous terms:

1. "Justice delayed is justice denied." - William Gladstone (This quote implies the importance of a functioning legal system with clear jurisdiction)

2. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke (This quote emphasises the need for lawful authority, which often relates to jurisdiction)

3. "The law is no respecter of persons." - English Proverb (This implies equal application of the law within a jurisdiction)

4. "My first duty is to the truth; my second duty is to my country." - Edward R. Murrow (This quote highlights the potential conflict between loyalty and legal jurisdiction, especially for journalists)

5. "Where there is a right, there is a remedy." - William Blackstone (This legal principle implies the existence of a court with jurisdiction to enforce rights)

6. "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." - Lord Acton (This quote can be applied to concerns about abuse of power within a jurisdiction)

7. "Beyond the reach of Law, the grasp of Friendship." - Friedrich Schiller (This quote suggests limitations of legal jurisdiction and the importance of social bonds)

8. "Ignorance of the law excuses no one." - Latin Proverb (This principle emphasises the responsibility of individuals to be aware of the laws within their jurisdiction)

9. "The government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - Abraham Lincoln (This quote from the Gettysburg Address implies a government with defined jurisdiction based on the will of the people)

10. "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." - Voltaire (This quote, though not directly related to jurisdiction, reflects the inherent uncertainties within legal systems and the challenge of defining clear boundaries).

Etymology

The word "jurisdiction" comes from a mashup of two very old ideas: law and speaking.

• Law: The first part of the word, "juris," comes from the Latin word "jus," which means "law."

• Speaking: The second part, "diction," comes from the Latin word "dictio," which means "saying" or "speaking."

So, literally, jurisdiction means "the saying of the law."

The first time we saw this word written down was in Middle English, sometime before 1300. Back then, it probably referred to the authority of someone, like a king or judge, to declare what the law was and how it would be enforced.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Jurisdiction

• Here are some phrases and idioms using the word "jurisdiction":

  • Beyond jurisdiction: This means something is outside the legal authority of a particular court or governing body. (e.g., "The international crime couldn't be prosecuted because it fell beyond the jurisdiction of any single nation.")

  • Push the boundaries of jurisdiction: This means to test the limits of a court or governing body's legal authority. (e.g., "The new law aimed to push the boundaries of the federal government's jurisdiction.")

  • Have jurisdiction over: This means to have the legal authority to deal with something. (e.g., "The local court has jurisdiction over traffic violations.")

  • Challenge jurisdiction: This means to argue that a court or governing body doesn't have the legal authority to handle a case. (e.g., "The defence attorney challenged the court's jurisdiction in the high-profile case.")

  • Out of jurisdiction: This means something is located outside the legal authority of a particular court or governing body. (e.g., "The company couldn't be sued in that state because it was out of their jurisdiction.")

  • Concurrent jurisdiction: This refers to a situation where two or more courts or governing bodies might have the legal authority to handle a case. (e.g., "Both federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction over certain types of bankruptcy cases.")

Posts Related to Jurisdiction

Source Information

Definition of jurisdiction from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.