Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Jurisdiction definition

What does Jurisdiction mean? Jurisdiction, in legal practice, describes a court’s power to hear and determine a dispute and the limits of that power, both by subject matter and by the territory over which the court’s authority extends. It encompasses personal jurisdiction over the parties (often based on service, presence, domicile or consent, including exclusive jurisdiction clauses) and the court’s territorial and subject‑matter competence. The term is descriptive rather than fixed by a single definition; its scope is set by statute, rules of court, international instruments and case law (for example, the Senior Courts Act 1981, the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments...

Jurisdiction clauses incorporated by reference under English law: strict tests, sector-specific rules for bills of lading/charter-parties and insurance/reinsurance, and resolving identical or conflicting jurisdiction agreements

Published by a LexisNexis Dispute Resolution expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note

This Practice Note examines the incorporation of a Jurisdiction clause into a Contract by Reference to either:

standard terms and conditions
the wording of a separate contract

It offers a general overview of the position in relation to charter-parties and bills of lading, as well as insurance and reinsurance. It also includes examples of provisions that courts have found did not succeed in importing jurisdiction clauses from one Agreement into another.

The Note refers to decisions under the Brussels Convention, Regulation (EC) 44/2001, Brussels I, and Regulation (EU) 1215/2012, Brussels I (recast) (the Brussels Regime), where those authorities give broad guidance on how the courts approach the incorporation of jurisdiction agreements. For detailed guidance on the courts’ approach to whether a jurisdiction clause has been incorporated into a contract/agreement between the parties under Regulation (EU) 1215/2012, Brussels I (recast), see Practice Note: E&W Brussels I (recast)—requirements for an effective choice of court agreement (art 25) [Archived].

Note that the UK’s departure from the EU has consequences for practitioners assessing which courts have jurisdiction under the Brussels Regime...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...