forensic: competence

The legal recognition of an individual's ability to perform a task. The concept is not applied globally. Rather, it is directed at a specific category of demands, such as competence to assist counsel in preparing a defense, competence to manage financial affairs, or competence to give informed consent in legal or medical matters.*

Also: competency, testimentary capacity

Books and Other Media:
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Grisso, Thomas, et al Assessing Competence to Consent to Treatment: A Guide for Physicians and Other Health Professionals (Hardcover)
Grisso, Thomas Evaluating Competencies: Forensic Assessments and Instruments (Perspectives in Law and Psychology, 7) Hardcover | Paperback (Paperback - February 1986)
Grisso, Thomas Competency to Stand Trial Evaluation: A Manual for Practice
(Paperback - December 1988)

Jesus of Montreal DVD Christine-Ann Atallah, Paule Baillargeon, and Boris Bergman 1990
Nell Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson 1994
Nuts DVD Barbra Streisand, Richard Dreyfuss 1987

*Committee on Psychiatry and Law, of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry The Mental Health Professional and the Legal System Paperback 1992 American Psychiatric Press