Subject matter jurisdiction in California civil litigation refers to the court’s authority to hear and decide a particular type of case. In California, subject matter jurisdiction is primarily divided between the state’s superior courts and specialized courts, such as small claims or family law courts, each having specific authority over certain types of disputes. The California Superior Court, which is a court of general jurisdiction, has the authority to hear nearly all types of civil cases, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, real estate matters, and business lawsuits. However, some cases may fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of specialized courts, like probate court for matters involving wills and estates, or family court for divorce and child custody disputes.
Additionally, the California courts are restricted by certain statutory limits regarding the amount of damages or the type of issues they can address. For example, small claims court has jurisdiction only over cases involving relatively low monetary claims (typically under $10,000). The jurisdiction of California courts is determined by the subject matter of the lawsuit, and if a case is filed in the wrong court, it may be dismissed or transferred to the appropriate court with the proper subject matter jurisdiction. This ensures that cases are heard by the court that is best equipped to handle the specific legal issues involved. Each court is limited by laws that define the scope of cases it can adjudicate, and jurisdictional issues must be resolved early in the litigation process to prevent wasting judicial resources.
