Also known as: jurisdictions of the cause · subject-matter jurisdiction · cause jurisdiction
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A court's authority to adjudicate the subject matter of a particular dispute. The authority exists only when the claim falls within a statutory or constitutional grant of power to the court.
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Judy Jacobs filed a state-law contract claim in federal district court against Jha Pharmaceuticals. After discovery revealed that both parties were citizens of the same state, the court examined the record on its own motion and dismissed the entire action.
Jamal Jefferson sued Jung BioTech in federal court asserting only state-law claims. Jung BioTech moved under Rule 12(b)(1) before answering, and the court granted the motion after determining that no federal question or diversity jurisdiction existed.
Jillian James sued Jaffe Securities in federal court. After the court dismissed the action for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, James refiled the identical claim in state court. The state court treated the federal dismissal as without prejudice to the merits.
Jordan Jenkins and several other plaintiffs joined a federal diversity action against Juarez Holdings. The court exercised supplemental jurisdiction over the additional plaintiffs whose individual claims fell below the amount-in-controversy threshold because one plaintiff satisfied the requirement.
Jeanette Jensen and other environmental plaintiffs sued a federal agency alleging future harm to wildlife habitats. The court dismissed the complaint because the plaintiffs failed to show concrete, imminent injury traceable to the challenged regulation.
Javier Jimenez alleged that federal agents violated his Fourth Amendment rights during a search. The court recognized an implied damages action against the agents in their individual capacities even though no federal statute expressly created the remedy.
A federal court must dismiss an action at any time it determines that subject-matter jurisdiction is absent, including after discovery or on appeal.
Yes. A party may assert lack of subject-matter jurisdiction by pre-answer motion, and the defense is never waived.
A dismissal for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction does not operate as an adjudication on the merits and therefore does not bar a subsequent action on the same claim.
…to provide the respondent with a pretermination hearing. The Court of Appeals affirmed. Held: 1. The District Court had subject-matter jurisdiction over the action under 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). Pp. 324-332. 2. The procedures for review and termination of disability benefits under the Social Security Act do not violate the Due Process…