Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: Washington Case-Law
A cognovit is a legal agreement where a defendant admits that the plaintiff's case is true, allowing judgment to be entered without a trial. This saves time and money for both parties. It is often used in commercial loans to help lenders quickly collect debts from borrowers who default on their loans. However, some states prohibit the use of cognovits in certain contracts, and the Supreme Court has ruled that they may be unconstitutional in cases where there is unequal bargaining power between parties.
A cognovit is a type of confession of judgment that allows a plaintiff to obtain a judgment against a defendant without a trial. The defendant acknowledges the legitimacy of the plaintiff's claim, and judgment is entered to save costs. A cognovit provision is often included in agreements to authorize the entry of judgment against oneself in the event of a breach or default.
These examples illustrate how a cognovit can be used to expedite the process of obtaining a judgment and collecting a debt. By including a cognovit provision in an agreement, the parties can avoid the time and expense of a trial and move directly to the collection phase. However, the use of cognovits in adhesion contracts, where one party has significantly more bargaining power than the other, may be unconstitutional in some states.