Circuit courts, when exercising equitable jurisdiction, must take cognizance of the following cases:

(1) When the defendants reside in this state.

Terms Used In Alabama Code 12-11-33

  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(2) Against nonresidents, when the object of the action concerns an estate of, lien or charge upon lands or the disposition thereof, or any interest in, title to, or encumbrance on personal property within this state, or where the cause of action arose, or the act on which the civil action is founded was to have been performed in this state.
(3) In such other cases as such courts are by law required to take jurisdiction.
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