What is concurrent jurisdiction?

Concurrent jurisdiction refers to the situation in the legal system where both state courts and federal courts have the authority to hear a particular case. This means that in cases involving certain subjects, such as diversity of citizenship (where parties are from different states and the amount in controversy exceeds a specific threshold) or federal questions where a federal law is at stake, either court system can take the case.

When concurrent jurisdiction exists, defendants might have the option to choose in which court to file their cases, depending on various factors like the strategic advantages offered by either court. This flexibility can provide various legal avenues for litigants, allowing them to select which jurisdiction they believe may be more favorable to their case.

In contrast to concurrent jurisdiction, state courts' authority only would imply a limitation of jurisdiction to state laws, while federal courts' exclusive authority indicates that only federal courts could hear certain types of cases, thus negating the option for state courts. Local courts' authority focused on specific cases tends to suggest a more limited scope that does not encompass the broader application and dual access present in concurrent jurisdiction. Therefore, the nature of concurrent jurisdiction is characterized by the shared authority between state and federal courts.