Recognisance

Recognisance is a kind of judicial bond entered into with a court of record, the object of which is to secure the doing of some act, as the appearance of witnesses at a criminal trial, or the keeping of the peace by one who has threatened or assaulted another. The form of it is thus: 'A B doth acknowledge to owe to our lady the Queen the sum of ten pounds,' or some other sum, to be levied of his goods if he fail in the condition endorsed; and then a condition is added, which states that, if the thing secured is done, then the recognisance is to be void. This is the mode by which justices of the peace secure the attendance of the prosecutor and witnesses at the trial of a prisoner who has been committed for trial, or the future good behaviour of one who has committed a breach of the peace. If the thing secured is not performed, then the recognisance is estreated—i.e. extracted and put in force, a debt of the amount specified being forthwith due to the crown.