Understanding court structure is the first step in assessing where a dispute will be heard and what review is available.

State systems. Generally a trial court of general jurisdiction, courts of limited jurisdiction for smaller claims and specific subject matter, an intermediate appellate court, and a court of last resort. Some states have specialized business courts with judges assigned to commercial cases, which materially affects how a complex commercial matter proceeds.

Federal system. District courts as trial courts; courts of appeals organized by circuit; and the Supreme Court, whose review is discretionary. Bankruptcy courts are units of the district courts, and magistrate judges handle substantial portions of civil litigation by consent or by referral.

Subject matter jurisdiction. State courts are courts of general jurisdiction. Federal courts require a federal question or diversity of citizenship with the requisite amount, and a handful of exclusive grants — bankruptcy, patent, admiralty, certain securities and antitrust matters.

Concurrent jurisdiction means many disputes could be brought in either system, which makes forum choice a strategic decision about procedure, jury pools, speed and appellate law.

Administrative tribunals hear specified categories — tax appeals, unemployment, workers compensation, professional licensing — with judicial review afterwards on a deferential standard.