Which phrase best defines personal jurisdiction?

Personal jurisdiction refers to the legal authority of a court to make decisions regarding the parties involved in a dispute. This concept is central to ensuring that individuals or entities are fairly subject to the legal process in a particular court. The court must have the power to require the parties to appear before it, which is typically grounded in factors such as the parties' residence, the location where the events occurred, or their business operations within a certain jurisdiction.

In any legal proceeding, the court must demonstrate that it has this authority over the specific individuals or entities, which helps to uphold the principle of fairness in the legal system. This is distinct from other aspects of jurisdiction, such as the authority over the venue or the evidence, which do not concern the parties directly involved in the case.