What does "subject matter jurisdiction" mean?

The concept of "subject matter jurisdiction" refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases of a particular type or related to specific subject areas. This means that for a court to adjudicate a case, that court must have the appropriate jurisdiction over the subject matter in question. For example, a family court has subject matter jurisdiction for divorce and child custody cases, while a bankruptcy court deals exclusively with bankruptcy cases.

Option B effectively captures this definition, as it emphasizes the necessity for a court to have the authority to address a specific type of case based on its subject matter. This principle ensures that cases are heard in the appropriate forum, where the court has the expertise and authority to rule on the issues presented.

In contrast, the other choices address different aspects of jurisdiction: authority over parties, enforcement of orders, and appeal processes, none of which accurately define subject matter jurisdiction itself. Thus, the focus on a court's authority concerning a specific type of case is what makes this option the correct choice.