Jurisdiction refers to the authority a court or legal body has to make legal decisions and judgments over a particular geographic area or subject matter. Jurisdiction can be divided into several categories, including personal jurisdiction (which determines whether a court has authority over a particular individual or entity), subject matter jurisdiction (which determines whether a court has authority to hear a particular type of case), and territorial jurisdiction (which determines whether a court has authority over cases within a certain geographic area). Understanding jurisdiction is crucial in determining which court or legal body has the authority to hear and decide a given legal matter.