noun
cognizance
A court's authority to hear and decide a matter
This dispute falls within the cognizance of the federal court.
Etymology
Latin cognoscere meant to know or recognize. A court’s cognizance is its power to take judicial notice of a matter and bring it within the scope of its judgment.
More examples
- The statute gives this court cognizance of maritime claims.
- The judge rules that the matter lies outside the court's cognizance.
- Only certain courts have cognizance of these cases.
Similar words
- jurisdiction
- The more usual term for a court's legal authority.
- authority
- Broader power to act, not specifically to decide cases.