possess the necessary argumentation skills or legal qualifications; qualified; able; sufficient. A court has jurisdiction if it has jurisdiction by law or constitution for certain types of actions. It is the measure of one`s own expertise in a particular subject, language or concept. The testator is qualified to draw up a will if he or she understands what a will is and what its effects are, the nature and extent of the property in question, and the relationship to the persons named in the will and the disinherited. Adj. (1) generally capable of acting in the circumstances, including the ability to engage in or establish employment or occupation or to make decisions. 2) in wills, trusts and contracts that are mentally capable enough to understand and execute a document. To be able to make a will, a person must understand what a will is, what he possesses (although forgetting some elements among many others does not show incompetence) and who are parents who would normally inherit (“the natural objects of their premium”) such as children and spouses (although forgetting a child in a will is not automatically proof of incompetence, because it may be intentional or the child is long gone). 3) is mentally competent enough in criminal law to stand trial if he understands the procedure and can deal rationally with his lawyer. This is often interpreted broadly by psychiatrists, whose testimony can convince a court that a party is too psychotic to stand trial. If the court determines his incapacity, the defendant may be committed to a public psychiatric facility until he recovers. Currently, a trial can take place, but this is rare.
(4) As evidence, “competent” means “relevant” and/or “substantial”. Lawyers often oppose “incompetent, irrelevant and insignificant” evidence to cover all bases. Supported by Black`s Law Dictionary, Free 2nd ed., and The Law Dictionary.