Place and applicable law
Turn a concern into a question a qualified adviser can assess.
A question such as “Can I get a refund?” depends on its setting: the place, date, type of transaction, parties, and agreed terms. Begin with that setting rather than searching for a sentence that supports the result you want. A useful question makes the missing information visible.
Jurisdiction concerns a court’s authority to hear a matter. Applicable law concerns the rules used to decide it. They are related but distinct. Cornell’s introduction uses a US legal context; it is a way to learn the concept, not a rulebook for every country.
Make a question card with four headings: known facts, uncertain facts, documents, and desired outcome. Time limits, court papers, and significant rights need timely local professional advice. This exercise prepares a clear account; it does not determine a litigation strategy.
Make your understanding visible
A fictional cross-border laptop purchase arrives unusable. List five things you would establish first.
Compare with a reference response
For example: locations of buyer and seller, purchase and delivery dates, product description, payment and order records, and return terms. These alone do not establish a right to a refund; applicable rules and dispute procedures still need checking.