What term describes a court's authority over specific types of cases?

The correct term for describing a court's authority over specific types of cases is "subject matter jurisdiction." This refers to the power of a court to hear and decide cases based on the nature of the subject involved. Subject matter jurisdiction is critical because it determines what types of cases a court can adjudicate, ensuring that cases are heard by the appropriate court that has been granted such authority.

For example, a family court has subject matter jurisdiction over family law cases, while a bankruptcy court has jurisdiction specifically over bankruptcy matters. This ensures that judges have the necessary expertise and legal foundation to make informed decisions regarding the particular issues at hand.

While "jurisdiction" encompasses the broader concept of a court's authority to rule on cases, including both personal and subject matter jurisdiction, it doesn't specify the type of authority in relation to specific cases. "Limited jurisdiction" and "personal jurisdiction" are particular forms of jurisdiction, with limited jurisdiction typically referring to courts that can only hear certain types of cases, and personal jurisdiction referring to a court's authority to decide a case involving specific defendants. However, neither addresses the broader category of specific types of cases directly as "subject matter jurisdiction" does.