cognizance
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Cognizance
The power, authority, and ability of a judge to determine a particular legal matter. A judge's decision to take note of or deal with a cause.
That which is cognizable to a judge is within the scope of his or her jurisdiction. A Justice of the Peace would not have cognizance of a major criminal matter, for example.
West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
cognizance
1 the right of a court to hear and determine a cause or matter.
2 (US) confession.
Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006