ABSTRACT
The jurisdiction of a state describes the power of a state under international law to exercise its authority over persons and property by the use of its municipal law. It includes both the power to prescribe rules (prescriptive or legislative jurisdiction) and the power to enforce them (enforcement or prerogative jurisdiction). Described in these terms, jurisdiction is fundamental to the concept of sovereignty. It describes both the extent of sovereign powers and the scope or limitation of those powers at international level.
