Legal Definitions - cognizance

cognizance (kog-ni-zəns), n.

1. A court's right and power to try and to determine cases; JURISDICTION.

When a case is brought before a court, the court must have cognizance over the matter in order to hear and decide the case. For example:

• A state court has cognizance over cases involving state law.
• A federal court has cognizance over cases involving federal law.
• A family court has cognizance over cases involving family matters such as divorce and child custody.

These examples illustrate how cognizance refers to a court's authority to hear and decide cases within its jurisdiction. Just as a police officer can only enforce the law within their jurisdiction, a court can only hear and decide cases within its cognizance.