Which statement best describes the difference between general and specific jurisdiction?

Which statement best describes the difference between general and specific jurisdiction?

• A. General jurisdiction allows suits on all claims; specific jurisdiction arises from the defendant's activities related to the claim.
• B. General jurisdiction arises from the defendant's activities related to the claim.
• C. General jurisdiction applies only to individuals.
• D. General jurisdiction allows only limited claims.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how the court’s authority is tied to the defendant. General jurisdiction means a court can hear almost any claim against the defendant in that forum, usually where the defendant is “at home” (for a person, where they live; for a corporation, where it is incorporated or has its principal place of business). Specific jurisdiction, on the other hand, exists when the claim arises out of or relates to the defendant’s contacts with the forum. The best description matches this by saying general jurisdiction allows suits on all claims in the forum, while specific jurisdiction arises from the defendant’s activities related to the claim. That captures the “at home” breadth of general jurisdiction and the “claims arising from forum contacts” focus of specific jurisdiction. The other statements are off: general jurisdiction is not limited to individuals (corporations can be subject to general jurisdiction where they are at home), and it does not describe general jurisdiction as arising from the defendant’s activities related to the claim or as only allowing limited claims.

The key idea is how the court’s authority is tied to the defendant. General jurisdiction means a court can hear almost any claim against the defendant in that forum, usually where the defendant is “at home” (for a person, where they live; for a corporation, where it is incorporated or has its principal place of business). Specific jurisdiction, on the other hand, exists when the claim arises out of or relates to the defendant’s contacts with the forum.

The best description matches this by saying general jurisdiction allows suits on all claims in the forum, while specific jurisdiction arises from the defendant’s activities related to the claim. That captures the “at home” breadth of general jurisdiction and the “claims arising from forum contacts” focus of specific jurisdiction.

The other statements are off: general jurisdiction is not limited to individuals (corporations can be subject to general jurisdiction where they are at home), and it does not describe general jurisdiction as arising from the defendant’s activities related to the claim or as only allowing limited claims.