What is prima facie in black Law Dictionary?
Asked by: Briana Schamberger PhD | Last update: February 2, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (40 votes)
In Black's Law Dictionary, prima facie (Latin for "at first sight" or "on its face") refers to evidence sufficient to establish a fact or presumption, justifying a ruling in a party's favor unless disproven by contradictory evidence. A prima facie case means the initial evidence is strong enough to support a claim or cause of action, requiring the opposing side to present a rebuttal to avoid losing.
What is prima facie in Black's law?
Prima facie means generally that the evidence is “[s]ufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted.” Black's Law Dictionary 1228 (8th ed.
What is the legal meaning of prima facie?
In law, prima facie (Latin for "at first sight") means evidence sufficient to prove a claim unless contradicted, establishing a rebuttable presumption that the claim is true, shifting the burden to the other party to disprove it. It's a standard for moving a case forward, showing enough initial merit for a reasonable jury to find for the party presenting it, but it isn't conclusive proof.
What is a prima facie case Black's Law Dictionary?
(Black's Law Dictionary definition of prima facie: ... (18c) Sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted; based on what seems to be true on first examination, even though it may later be proved to be untrue).
What are the three elements of a prima facie case?
The Elements of a Prima Facie Case: Duty, Breach, Cause, Injury.
Prima Facie; Prima Facie Case; and Prima Facie Evidence
Who has the burden of proof to prove a prima facie case?
One important aspect of modern judicial systems is the presumption of innocence. In order to force punishment or restitution on a defendant in criminal proceedings, the burden of proof falls onto the prosecution.
What is another word for prima facie?
Synonyms for prima facie include at first sight, on the face of it, self-evident, apparent, obvious, seemingly, and by all appearances, all conveying that something seems true or sufficient based on initial impression, before further investigation, or unless disproved.
Can a prima facie case be dismissed?
If the judge finds sufficient evidence at a pre-trial hearing, it's called a prima facie case. The court will likely dismiss the case if the plaintiff lacks sufficient evidence supporting its claim. If a prima facie case exists, the defendant must present evidence at trial to counter it.
What is the Four Corners rule in black law?
: a rule holding that if a document (as a contract, deed, or will) appears on its face to be complete no outside evidence may be used to challenge it NOTE: The number of states that accept the four corners rule is in decline.
What are the three burdens of proof?
The three main burdens (or standards) of proof in law, from lowest to highest, are Preponderance of the Evidence, required for most civil cases (more likely than not); Clear and Convincing Evidence, used in certain civil matters needing higher certainty; and Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, the strict standard for criminal convictions, meaning near-certainty of guilt.
How does a judge evaluate prima facie evidence?
The Latin phrase prima facie means “on its face.” Before a case ever reaches the jury, the judge must decide: “Has the plaintiff (in a civil case) or the State (in a criminal case) presented enough facts for a reasonable jury to find every element satisfied?” If the answer is no, the case must end.
How strong is prima facie evidence?
If a party establishes a prima facie case, it means their evidence is sufficient to justify a ruling in their favor unless the opposing party rebuts it. In personal injury law, for example, a plaintiff must present prima facie evidence showing the defendant's negligence caused their injuries.
What happens after receiving prima facie?
What Happens After the Prima Facie Stage? After receiving your prima facie determination, USCIS continues evaluating your full petition. This involves verifying your documents, reviewing testimony, and sometimes issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) for additional proof.
What benefits can I get with a prima facie?
Access to Certain Public Benefits: For VAWA self-petitioners, receiving a prima facie determination can make you eligible for specific public benefits, such as Medicaid, food stamps, and housing assistance. This can provide crucial support during a difficult time.
Who decides if evidence is prima facie?
The Latin phrase prima facie means “on its face.” Before a case ever reaches the jury, the judge must decide: “Has the plaintiff (in a civil case) or the State (in a criminal case) presented enough facts for a reasonable jury to find every element satisfied?”
What are the five 5 factual elements of a prima facie case for negligence?
Doing so means you and your lawyer must prove the five elements of negligence: duty, breach of duty, cause, in fact, proximate cause, and harm. Your lawyer may help you meet the elements necessary to prove your claim, build a successful case, and help you receive the monetary award you deserve.
What is the marks rule in law?
The Marks Rule is a legal principle that arises when the U.S. Supreme Court issues a decision with multiple opinions from its justices, often referred to as a fractured opinion. This rule helps determine the legal standard that the majority of justices agree upon, which is recognized as the court's holding.
What are the 4 pillars of the rule of law?
The four core principles of the Rule of Law, as defined by the World Justice Project, are Accountability (everyone, including government, is subject to the law), Just Laws (laws are clear, publicized, stable, and protect rights), Open Government (lawmaking/enforcement processes are accessible, fair, and efficient), and Accessible & Impartial Justice (fair, timely justice delivered by competent, independent professionals). These principles ensure laws are applied fairly, protect fundamental rights, and build public trust in the legal system.
What happened in Lucy v. Zehmer?
In suit by Lucy against Zehmer and his wife for specific performance of a contract requiring the latter to convey a farm to Lucy for a stated price, the evidence contradicted Zehmer's contention that he was too drunk to make a valid contract, since he clearly was able to comprehend the nature and consequence of the ...
How long does prima facie last?
How long is Prima Facie and when does it finish? Prima Facie is scheduled to be approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes long, and should finish at 9:10PM for evening performance, and 4:10PM for matinees.
Is a prima facie case enough to win?
“The establishment of a prima facie case does not mean the plaintiff wins as a matter of law. It simply entitles the plaintiff to go forward and have the issue decided by the fact-finder, unless the defendant can present sufficient rebuttal evidence to defeat the presumption.”
What is the prima facie rule?
Prima facie is used in court to indicate that there is sufficient or adequate evidence to support a claim. More simply put, a prima facie case means that the claim being presented to a court has merit, when taken at face value.
What is the burden of proof after prima facie?
The party with the initial burden must first present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case. Once that is done, the burden may shift to the opposing party, who must then introduce evidence to refute or counter the claim.
What are the weaknesses of prima facie evidence?
For instance, in a criminal case, the prosecution may present prima facie evidence such as eyewitness testimonies or circumstantial evidence to establish the defendant's guilt. However, this initial evidence may be subject to interpretation, bias, or even falsehoods, leading to potential miscarriages of justice.
How do judges evaluate prima facie evidence?
Prima facie evidence can be regarded as such that it should be considered true until it is rebutted. It can also be treated as only potentially true, in which case a jury can exercise discrimination in determining whether the evidence is genuinely plausible.