What defines the power of courts based on geographical area?

Territorial Jurisdiction pertains to the authority of a court to hear cases based on the geographic location in which the dispute arises or where the parties are located. This concept is fundamental in the legal system, as it determines the specific realm within which a court can exercise its powers and review cases. Courts can only adjudicate matters that fall within their designated territorial boundaries, which could be local, regional, or national.

For instance, if a legal issue arises in one state, typically, only the courts within that state would have the jurisdiction to handle the case, unless certain legal provisions allow for movement to another jurisdiction.

The other forms of jurisdiction mentioned serve different functions. Concurrent Jurisdiction refers to situations where multiple courts have the authority to hear the same case type, and Appellate Jurisdiction involves the power of a higher court to review decisions made by a lower court. Original Jurisdiction is concerned with the power of a court to hear a case for the first time, rather than on appeal. Each of these types of jurisdiction interacts with the concept of Territorial Jurisdiction in various contexts, but the defining characteristic of Territorial Jurisdiction is specifically linked to geographical considerations.