The way in which a higher state court answers a legal question is binding on all other lower courts within that jurisdiction when faced with the same legal question. For example, if the California Supreme Court decides a legal question, all state courts in California must follow that decision. However, state courts in Oregon would not have to follow the California decision because they are in a different jurisdiction. Jurisdiction When a person decides to file a legal action, he or she must decide where to file the case. Where a person files a case depends on which court has jurisdiction in such cases.
Jurisdiction determines whether a particular court has the power and authority to decide a case.
This is subject matter jurisdiction. If a court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, it may not decide a case. A court also must have personal jurisdiction over the defendant in a case. There are different ways to have personal jurisdiction, including if a defendant resides or has a business within the court's geographical region. For example, a California plaintiff cannot bring an action in California superior court against a defendant who lives and works in another state, if that defendant has no contact with the state of California.