---
title: "Personal Jurisdiction"
type: Legal Term
source: https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/personal-jurisdiction
---

# Personal Jurisdiction

Personal jurisdiction is a court's power to exercise authority over a particular defendant. It requires that the defendant have sufficient contacts with the forum state such that the exercise of jurisdiction comports with due process. General jurisdiction exists when the defendant is essentially 'at home' in the forum (domicile for individuals, state of incorporation or principal place of business for corporations). Specific jurisdiction exists when the lawsuit arises from or relates to the defendant's purposeful contacts with the forum state.

## Related Terms

- subject-matter-jurisdiction
- minimum-contacts
- long-arm-statute

## Related Cases

- international-shoe-v-washington
- world-wide-volkswagen-v-woodson
- daimler-ag-v-bauman
- burger-king-v-rudzewicz
- pennoyer-v-neff

## Example

A Florida resident sues a California corporation that sold a product in Florida. The corporation's sale into Florida constitutes purposeful availment, supporting specific personal jurisdiction.

---
Source: [Personal Jurisdiction — CaseBriefly](https://casebriefly.com/legal-terms/personal-jurisdiction)