Subject-Matter Jurisdiction

Related terms

Admissibility

Whether a piece of evidence is permitted to be placed before the fact-finder at all. Admissibility is a threshold question, decided by...

Examination-in-Chief

The questioning of a witness by the party who called them. For an expert, this is typically limited because the substance is...

Expert

A person specially skilled in foreign law, science, art, identity of handwriting or finger impressions, under BSA 2023 Section 39 (formerly IEA...

High Court

Constitutional court under Article 214, one for each state or group of states (25 High Courts as of 2026). Writ jurisdiction under...

Hostile Witness

A witness who turns adverse to the party calling them. The court, on application, may permit cross-examination of one's own witness under...

Magistrate Court

Trial court for less serious offences. Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Second Class, and Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) under BNSS 2023.

Pecuniary Jurisdiction

Monetary limit on the suits a civil court can try (for example a Small Causes Court has a low pecuniary cap).

Relevancy

Logical connection of a fact with the fact in issue. Governed by BSA 2023 Sections 6 to 55 (carrying forward IEA Sections...

Sessions Court

Highest criminal court at district level under BNSS 2023. Tries offences punishable with death, life imprisonment or imprisonment exceeding seven years. Headed...

Supreme Court of India

Apex court under Article 124 of the Constitution. Original, appellate, advisory and writ jurisdiction. Seat at New Delhi; benches sit only by...

Territorial Jurisdiction

Geographic area within which a court can take cognisance. A theft in Pune is tried by a Pune court, not a Mumbai...

Explained in

• Courts: Jurisdiction, Admissibility and Expert TestimonyRestriction by case type (POCSO court hears child sexual offences; MACT hears motor-accident claims; family court hears matrimonial disputes).