Cognizance in the United States

Cognizance, an old term in common law signifying legal jurisdiction or acknowledgment of a fact entailing certain legal consequences. The term was used in the United States to signify a general sense of jurisdiction as in the phrase “to take cognizance of a cause of action.” In pleading, cognizance signifies a formal acknowledgment of an act alleged. In former times cognizance of pleas was jurisdiction of causes, a privilege granted by the king to a city or town to set up a tribunal for the trial of suits. The term is also used in heraldry to signify some distinguishing mark as a crest or badge.

Cognizance is the action of taking judicial notice. For example, in the United States, Article II of the Federal Rules of Evidence (“FRE”), widely followed by U.S. States, allow judges to take judicial notice of two groups of facts.

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Further Reading (Articles)

For Offences U/S 63, 67 And 68 Of Copyright Act, There Is A Limitation Of 3 Years U/S 468 (2) (C) Cr.P.C. For Taking Cognizance.(Case overview), Mondaq Business Briefing; August 30, 2011; Bhutia, Sonam Lhamu

Showcasing Technical Prowess ; IIT-Roorkee Hosted Cognizance, a Three-Day Tech Extravaganza Where Science and Entertainment Came Together under One Roof, India Today; April 14, 2014; Rai, Mridu

The Prevalence, Burden and Cognizance of Migraine in Adolescent Girls, Journal of Pediatric Neurology; January 1, 2012; Assadi, Mitra Zerafati, Gazelle Dham, Bhavpreet S. Contreras, Liz Akbar, Umer Zayas, Luis Leone, Paola

Cognizance court, THE INDEPENDENT, The Independent (Bangladesh); October 18, 2002

Cognizance of women’s role, New Straits Times; September 1, 2000

House of Murder Accused Vandalised: Family Members Allege That despite Several Complaints, Police Did Not Take Cognizance, DNA : Daily News & Analysis; November 26, 2012

NCW Takes Cognizance of Complaint against SP Leader’s Comments on Durga Shakti, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); August 6, 2013

Defamation case: Bihar court takes cognizance of Asaram Bapu’s role, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); April 22, 2010

Cognizance hearing on VNSC incident on Sept 14, The New Nation (Dhaka, India); August 27, 2011

cognizance, Webster’s NewWorld Dictionary; January 1, 1988

SC TAKES COGNIZANCE OF VIZCONDE CASE, The Manila Times; June 11, 2007; Canlas, Jomar

HC takes cognizance of report of ‘ragging’ at elite school, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); November 15, 2011

Court takes cognizance of complaint against SHO, DNA. Sunday; April 17, 2011

JUDGE TAKES COGNIZANCE OF SUPPLEMENTARY CHARGE SHEET FILED IN KRISHNANAND RAI MURDER CASE, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); December 14, 2006

Court defers taking cognizance of NIA’s 26/11 charge sheet, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); January 7, 2012

NHRC to take cognizance of hunger deaths, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); January 21, 2007

Court defers taking cognizance of NIA’s 26/11 charge sheet (Lead), Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); January 8, 2012

GOVERNMENT TAKES COGNIZANCE OF GRIEVANCES OF EX-SERVICEMEN RE-EMPLOYED AS SECURITY PERSONNEL IN VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, US Fed News Service, Including US State News; August 18, 2010

NHRC TAKES SUO-MOTU COGNIZANCE ON SEX DETERMINATION TESTS BY DOCTORS IN RAJASTHAN, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); May 17, 2006

NHRC TAKES SUO-MOTU COGNIZANCE OF INHUMAN TREATMENT OF INMATES OF A MENTAL ASYLUM IN BIHAR; ASKS FACTUAL REPORT FROM CHIEF SECRETARY, Hindustan Times (New Delhi, India); June 20, 2006