Subject matter jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear and decide cases based on the type of issue involved. Different courts have specific areas of law they can address, such as criminal law, family law, or contract disputes. This ensures that cases are handled by judges who are knowledgeable about the relevant legal principles. For a court to have subject matter jurisdiction, the case must fall within its designated categories. If a court lacks this jurisdiction, it cannot legally hear the case, and the matter may need to be transferred to a different court that has the appropriate authority.