District Of Columbia § 11-921 - Civil jurisdiction.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 11-921 — Civil jurisdiction., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 11-921. Civil jurisdiction.
11-921Except as provided in subsection (b), the Superior Court has jurisdiction of any civil action or other matter (at law or in equity) brought in the District of Columbia. Such jurisdiction shall vest in the court as follows:
Beginning on the effective date of the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1970, the court has jurisdiction of any civil action or other matter begun before such effective date in the District of Columbia Court of General Sessions, the Juvenile Court of the District of Columbia, or the District of Columbia Tax Court.
Beginning on such effective date, the court has jurisdiction of any civil action or other matter, at law or in equity, which is begun in the Superior Court on or after such effective date and in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $50,000.
Beginning on such effective date, the court has jurisdiction (regardless of the amount in controversy) of any civil action or other matter, at law or in equity, which —
is brought under —
(relating to ejectment);
subchapter II or III of (relating to the condemnation of land on behalf of the District of Columbia);
(relating to writs of habeas corpus directed to persons other than Federal officers and employees);
(relating to change of name);
(relating to quieting title to real property);
(relating to writ of quo warranto);
(relating to replevin of personal property);
the Hospital Treatment for Drug Addicts Act for the District of Columbia (D.C. Official Code, secs. 24-701 through 24-711) (relating to commitment of narcotics users); or
section 2 of the Act of August 3, 1968 (D.C. Official Code, sec. 2-201.02) (relating to contractors bonds).
involves an appeal from or petition for review of any assessment of tax (or civil penalty thereon) made by the District of Columbia; or
is brought under .
Immediately following the expiration of the eighteen-month period beginning on such effective date, the court has jurisdiction (regardless of the amount in controversy) of any civil action or other matter, at law or in equity, brought under —
(relating to gifts to minors);
(relating to hospitalization of the mentally ill);
Chapter 7 [repealed] of Title 21 (relating to property of the mentally ill);
(relating to commitment and maintenance of substantially retarded persons);
Chapter 13 [repealed] of Title 21 (relating to appointment of committees for alcoholics and addicts);
Chapter 15 [repealed] of Title 21 (relating to appointment of conservators); or
Chapter 3, 7 [repealed], 11, 13 [repealed], or 15 [repealed] of Title 21 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and not completed in that court before the expiration of such eighteen-month period.
Immediately following the expiration of the thirty-month period beginning on such effective date, the court has jurisdiction (regardless of the amount in controversy) —
of any matter (at law or in equity) —
brought under (relating to partition of property and assignment of dower);
which would have been within the jurisdiction of the Orphans Court of Washington County, District of Columbia before June 21, 1870;
relating to the execution or validity of wills devising real property within the District of Columbia, and of wills and testaments properly presented for probate in the court, and the admission to probate and recording of those wills;
relating to the proof of wills of either personal or real property and the revocation of probate of wills for cause;
involving the granting and revocation for cause of letters testamentary, letters of administration, letters ad colligendum and letters of guardianship, and the appointment of successors to persons whose letters have been revoked;
involving the hearing, examination, and issuance of decrees upon accounts, claims, and demands existing between executors or administrators and legatees or persons entitled to a distributive share of an intestate estate, or between wards and their guardians;
involving the enforcement of the rendition of inventories and accounts by executors, administrators, collectors, guardians, and trustees required to account to the court;
involving the enforcement of distribution of estates by executors and administrators and the payment or delivery by guardians of money or property belonging to their wards; or
otherwise within the probate jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on the day before such effective date; and
any matter (at law or in equity) described in subparagraph (A) which was begun in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and not completed in that court before the expiration of such thirty-month period.
Immediately following the expiration of the thirty-month period beginning on such effective date, the court has jurisdiction (regardless of the amount in controversy) of any civil action or other matter, at law or in equity, brought in the District of Columbia.
The Superior Court does not have jurisdiction over any civil action or other matter (1) over which exclusive jurisdiction is vested in a Federal court in the District of Columbia, or (2) over which jurisdiction is vested in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia under section 11-501 (relating to civil actions or other matters begun in such court before the expiration of the thirty-month period beginning on the effective date of the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1970).
Annotations
“Chapters 7, 13, 15 of title 21”, referred to in subsection (a)(4)(G), were repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“”, referred to in subsection (a)(4)(F), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“”, referred to in subsection (a)(4)(E), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“”, referred to in subsection (a)(4)(C), was repealed by § 3 of , effective February 28, 1987.
“The effective date of the District of Columbia Court Reorganization Act of 1970,” referred to throughout this section, means, as set forth in § 199(c) of the Act, the first day of the seventh calendar month which began after the enactment of the Act.
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 11-921
What does D.C. Code § 11-921 cover?
Section 11-921 ("Civil jurisdiction.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 11-921?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 11-921" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 11-921 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.