The Pennoyer rule is a legal principle that prevents courts from issuing personal judgments against defendants over whom they have no personal jurisdiction. This rule comes from the U.S. Supreme Court case Pennoyer v. Neff, 95 U.S. 714 (1878). Under this rule, a court has jurisdiction over a person if they reside in the same geographical area as the court or have committed a legal offense in this area. The Pennoyer rule helps to define the court’s power and ensure that courts possess authority over individuals that fall within their jurisdiction.
[Last updated in January of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]