Which legal term refers to the right of a court to hear a case?

The correct answer is jurisdiction, which refers to the authority granted to a court to hear and decide cases. Jurisdiction encompasses both the geographic area where a court operates and the types of cases it is permitted to adjudicate. For a court to make rulings, it must have subject matter jurisdiction, which pertains to the nature of the case, and personal jurisdiction, which relates to the parties involved.

Understanding jurisdiction is crucial in legal proceedings because it determines whether a court has the power to enforce laws and make binding decisions. Without proper jurisdiction, any rulings or judgments issued by a court could be challenged and deemed invalid.

In contrast, litigation refers to the process of taking legal action or bringing a lawsuit, arbitration involves resolving disputes outside of court through a neutral third party, and adjudication is the formal judgment or decision given by a court after a trial or legal proceeding. While these terms all relate to the legal process, they do not define the court's right to hear a case, which is the core aspect of jurisdiction.