Solution

Contingent liabilities are potential obligations that may arise from past events and whose existence depends on uncertain future events. These liabilities are disclosed in the notes to financial statements if they meet certain criteria, but they are not recognized in the financial statements. Under the accounting principles, recognition of a liability in the financial statements requires that the liability meets the definition of a liability, the amount of the liability can be reliably measured, and it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation. Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the financial statements because they do not meet the criteria for recognition.