What two types of jurisdiction do all courts possess?

All courts possess two fundamental types of jurisdiction: subject matter jurisdiction and territorial jurisdiction.

Subject matter jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear and decide cases of a specific type or cases relating to a specific subject matter. For instance, a court may have jurisdiction over family law matters, bankruptcy cases, or criminal cases, but not necessarily over cases regarding international trade or patent law unless specifically designated.

Territorial jurisdiction pertains to the geographical area within which a court has the authority to make legal decisions and enforce the law. A court's territorial jurisdiction is typically defined by the location where a crime was committed or where the parties involved reside.

Together, these two types of jurisdiction are critical in determining whether a court has the right to hear a particular case, ensuring that cases are heard in appropriate venues aligned with the legal matters at hand.