Legal Definitions - territorial

The term "territorial" refers to something that is connected to, or has authority or jurisdiction over, a specific geographical area or physical space. It often implies boundaries, control, or rights within that defined region.

• Example 1: Territorial Waters

  A nation's territorial waters extend a certain distance, typically 12 nautical miles, from its coastline. Within this zone, the nation has full sovereignty, meaning it can enforce its laws and control activities like fishing, shipping, and resource exploration.

  This illustrates "territorial" because it defines a specific geographical area (the maritime zone) over which a country exercises exclusive legal authority and control.

• Example 2: Territorial Sales Rights

  A software company might grant a distributor territorial sales rights, giving them the exclusive permission to sell its products only within the states of Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The distributor is prohibited from selling outside this designated region, and no other distributor can sell the same products within these states.

  This demonstrates "territorial" by establishing a clearly defined geographical area (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana) within which specific business rights and restrictions apply.

• Example 3: Territorial Jurisdiction of a Court

  A county superior court has territorial jurisdiction over all legal disputes that arise within the boundaries of that particular county. This means the court generally cannot hear a case if the events in question occurred entirely in an adjacent county.

  This example highlights "territorial" by showing how a court's power and authority to hear cases are legally limited to a specific, defined geographical area (the county).