Exclusive Jurisdiction is a concept whereby only one Grand Lodge will be recognised in any geographical area. If two Grand Lodges claim jurisdiction over the same area, the other Grand Lodges will have to choose between them, and they may not all decide to recognise the same one. (In 1849, for example, the Grand Lodge of New York split into two rival factions, each claiming to be the legitimate Grand Lodge. Other Grand Lodges had to choose between them until the schism was healed.) Exclusive Jurisdiction can be waived when the two over-lapping Grand Lodges are themselves in Amity and agree to share jurisdiction (for example, since the Grand Lodge of Connecticut is in Amity with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, the principle of Exclusive Jurisdiction does not apply, and other Grand Lodges may recognise both).
What is Exclusive Jurisdiction? What happens if two Grand Lodges try to establish themselves in the same area? What can happen if two over-lapping Grand Lodges are in Amity and decide to share jurisdiction? If two over-lapping Grand Lodges are in Amity and decide to waive Exclusive Jurisdiction, who must the other Grand Lodges recognize? What must other Grand Lodges do if two over-lapping Grand Lodges cannot agree to share the territory? What concept only recognizes one Grand Lodge in a given geographical area? In what year did the Grand Lodge of New York Split into two separate rival factions? When can Exclusive Jurisdiction be waived?