Matters of common knowledge refer to facts that are so widely accepted and known within a community or generally that their truth is not reasonably open to question.
According to the provided reference (1), matters of common knowledge fall into a category of information that does not require formal proof in certain contexts, such as legal proceedings. This is because these facts are considered indisputable or verifiable beyond reasonable doubt.
Specifically, reference (1) states that proof is not required for knowledge that is "not reasonably open to question" and is:
- (a) common knowledge in the locality in which the proceeding is being held or generally; or
- (b) capable of verification by reference to a document the authority of which cannot reasonably be questioned.
The first part, (a), directly defines "common knowledge" in this context: it's knowledge that is prevalent either specifically in the local area of an event or more broadly across the general public, and importantly, its accuracy is not reasonably debatable.
Key Characteristics
Matters of common knowledge, as derived from the reference, possess the following characteristics:
- Not Reasonably Open to Question: Their validity is widely accepted and not subject to rational dispute.
- Widespread Awareness: Known by a significant portion of people, either locally or generally.
- No Need for Proof: Because they are so well-established, they do not need to be formally proven in contexts where proof is otherwise required for disputed facts.
Examples in Context
While the reference doesn't provide specific examples, based on the definition, common knowledge could include facts like:
- The capital city of a well-known country.
- Major historical events that are universally acknowledged.
- Basic scientific facts (e.g., water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at standard atmospheric pressure).
- Well-known geographical features or locations within a locality.
The principle is that these facts are so ingrained in public consciousness or easily verifiable from unquestionable sources that presenting evidence to prove them would be redundant.
In summary, "matters of common knowledge," as referenced here, are undisputed facts widely known locally or generally, eliminating the need for formal proof in certain situations.
