This is the power of court to hear a case. If a court can entertain or hear a particular case it is said to be a court of competent Jurisdiction.
Types of jurisdiction
Jurisdiction can be classified in various ways:
• Original jurisdiction: this is the power of a court to hear a case of first instance i.e. to heara case for the first time e.g. the High court, Resident magistrate court, Kadhis court, courts martial.
• Appellate jurisdiction: this is the power of court to hear or entertain a case on appeal e.g.Court of Appeal, High Court.
• Territorial jurisdiction –This is geographical jurisdiction. This is the power of a court to entertain cases from within a defined geographical area, referred to a judicial district. The District magistrate of the 3rd class can only hear cases from within the district in which it is established.
• Pecuniary jurisdiction –This is financial or monetary jurisdiction. The court can only entertain civil cases whose value of subject matter does not exceed a specified maximum.
• Criminal jurisdiction: – this is the power of a court to entertain or hear criminal cases on first instance or on appeal, for example the High Court.
• Civil Jurisdiction: – this is the power of a court to hear civil cases of first instance or onappeal. For example the high court.
