Also known as: ratione materia · subject-matter jurisdiction · by reason of the subject matter
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A basis for a court's authority to adjudicate a dispute arising from the nature of the subject matter presented.
Roberto Reyes filed a federal suit against Redline Automotive alleging breach of a supply contract. The district court determined it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over the state-law claim. The court dismissed the action under the governing rule.
Rhea Reynolds sued Riverside Healthcare in federal court for damages arising from a medical procedure. Riverside filed a motion asserting lack of subject-matter jurisdiction. The court considered the motion as a threshold defense before addressing the merits.
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Robert Rivera, an insured party, sued Raven Logistics after a coverage denial in an international shipping loss. The court examined whether the claims fell within its authority based on the subject matter of the dispute. The analysis turned on the nature of the underlying conduct and applicable law.
Raymond Ramos, a local official, challenged a federal directive requiring state enforcement actions. The court assessed whether the subject matter implicated core sovereign functions. The decision hinged on the limits of federal power over the disputed regulatory scheme.
Rebecca Ross, a detainee, petitioned for review of proceedings before a military commission. The court evaluated whether the charges fell within the tribunal's subject-matter authority. The ruling addressed the scope of offenses cognizable in that forum.
Ratione materiae concerns jurisdiction based on the subject matter of the dispute. Ratione personae concerns jurisdiction based on the identity or status of the person involved.
The ICC's jurisdiction ratione materiae extends only to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. These are the four core crimes enumerated in the Rome Statute.
No. Article 27 of the Rome Statute provides that official capacity or immunities under national or international law shall not bar the Court from exercising jurisdiction over a person.
A federal court must dismiss the action at any time if it determines that subject-matter jurisdiction is lacking. This obligation applies even if the parties have not raised the issue.