What term describes the judicial power or authority of a court to hear a case?

The term that describes the judicial power or authority of a court to hear a case is jurisdiction. Jurisdiction refers to the legal authority of a court to make decisions and judgments concerning a particular case, based on various factors such as the location of the events in question, the parties involved, or the subject matter. It ensures that cases are heard in the appropriate court with the relevant legal power to address the issues at hand.

Understanding jurisdiction is crucial in the legal system because it determines the scope of a court's authority and where a legal action can be initiated. For example, different courts may have jurisdiction over different types of cases, such as criminal, civil, or family law, and a case must be filed in the correct court for it to be valid.

The other terms provided do not accurately convey the concept of judicial authority. "Authority" is a broad term that does not specifically relate to legal proceedings, while "Power of Attorney" is a legal document that allows one person to act on behalf of another, and "Mandate" generally refers to an official order or commission to do something, rather than the specific judicial power to hear cases.