New York State Court Clerk Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The term that refers to a court's authority to make a final disposition on a case is original jurisdiction. Courts with original jurisdiction are typically the ones that hear a case first, allowing them to make initial rulings based on the facts and evidence presented. This jurisdiction involves a court's power to hear a case, observe the evidence, and develop a factual record, leading to a final decision or verdict.

In contrast, trial jurisdiction pertains to the type of cases that can be tried in a specific court or whether the court has the authority to conduct trials. Appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority of a higher court to review the decisions of lower courts, thus not involving the initial fact-finding process. Limited jurisdiction describes courts that can only hear specific types of cases or cases involving certain subjects while lacking the authority to handle all cases. Therefore, understanding these distinctions highlights why original jurisdiction is the correct term for a court's authority to reach a final decision in a case.