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Simple English definitions for legal terms
jurisdictional amount
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A quick definition of jurisdictional amount:
Definition: Jurisdictional amount is the amount of money a person asks for in a lawsuit. It can also include the value of non-money things like an order to stop someone from doing something. If someone wants to sue in a court that handles cases between people from different states, they have to ask for more than $75,000. The court will usually believe them if they say they need that much money, unless the other side can prove they don't. Sometimes, people can add up different claims to reach the $75,000. Some states have their own rules about how much money someone can ask for in a lawsuit.
A more thorough explanation:
Jurisdictional amount refers to the amount of money a plaintiff requests in a lawsuit. It can also include the monetary value of non-monetary remedies, such as an injunction. The jurisdictional amount is important because it determines which court has the authority to hear the case.
For example, if a plaintiff wants to file a lawsuit in federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, they must request more than $75,000 in damages. If the plaintiff requests less than $75,000, the case must be filed in state court instead.
It's important to note that the jurisdictional amount is determined at the beginning of the trial. Even if a jury ultimately awards the plaintiff less than the requested amount, the court still has jurisdiction over the case.
Other situations where jurisdictional amount is relevant include class action lawsuits and state court systems with tiered jurisdictional requirements.
- A plaintiff files a lawsuit in federal court, claiming $100,000 in damages. This meets the jurisdictional amount requirement for diversity jurisdiction.
- A plaintiff files a class action lawsuit in federal court, claiming $4,000,000 in damages. This meets the jurisdictional amount requirement for class action lawsuits under the Class Action Fairness Act.
- A plaintiff files a lawsuit in Massachusetts small claims court, claiming $10,000 in damages. This exceeds the jurisdictional amount for small claims court, so the case must be filed in a higher court.
These examples illustrate how the jurisdictional amount determines which court has the authority to hear a case. In the first example, the plaintiff's request for $100,000 in damages meets the jurisdictional amount requirement for federal court. In the second example, the plaintiff's request for $4,000,000 in damages meets the jurisdictional amount requirement for class action lawsuits. In the third example, the plaintiff's request for $10,000 in damages exceeds the jurisdictional amount for small claims court, so the case must be filed in a higher court.