Justiciable Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Justiciable, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Justiciable?

Cases that are appropriate to be tried and settled in a court of law.

History and Meaning of Justiciable

The term Justiciable comes from the Latin word "justiciabilis" meaning "capable of being decided by a court of justice". In legal terms, justiciable refers to a case or controversy that can be settled by legal methods. It refers to whether the court has the authority to hear and decide a dispute between parties.

Examples of Justiciable

  1. A breach of contract is a justiciable case because the parties can go to court to settle the dispute.
  2. Personal injury cases are justiciable, as a court can hear a claim for damages arising out of an accident.
  3. Cases involving constitutional law, such as challenges to the constitutionality of a law or an executive order, are justiciable because they can be decided by a court of law.
  4. Landlord-tenant disputes, such as eviction proceedings, are justiciable cases.
  5. Cases involving intellectual property, such as copyright infringement and trademark disputes, fall under justiciable cases.

Legal Terms Similar to Justiciable

  1. Non-justiciable: a case that cannot be heard or decided by a court of law, such as political or advisory opinions.
  2. Ripeness: the readiness of a case for legal action, typically regarding whether a case is premature or whether the issues should be resolved in another manner.
  3. Standing: the legal right of a party to bring a case or challenge in court.
  4. Mootness: a case that is no longer able to be resolved by a court because the issue has been resolved or the situation has changed.
  5. Jurisdiction: the authority of a court to hear and decide a case based on factors such as location, subject matter, and parties involved.