What is the prima facie measure?

Asked by: Marta Cartwright  |  Last update: February 11, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (69 votes)

A prima facie (Latin for "at first sight") case is when a party presents enough evidence to prove their claim is valid and should proceed, creating a rebuttable presumption, meaning the other side must offer opposing evidence or risk losing. It's not a final verdict but the initial threshold where a judge decides if there's enough merit for a reasonable jury to find for the claimant, covering elements like duty, breach, causation, and damages in negligence cases.

What does prima facie mean in legal terms?

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. 

How does a judge evaluate 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?” If the answer is no, the case must end.

What are the four elements of a prima facie case?

✅ A prima facie case of negligence is the essential first step in any personal injury lawsuit. ✅ You must prove four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

What is an example of prima facie evidence?

Criminal law: In criminal proceedings, prima facie refers to the initial evidence presented by the prosecution that suggests a defendant's guilt. For example, if the prosecution presents sufficient evidence showing that the defendant was at the crime scene and had motive, this constitutes a prima facie case of guilt.

What is Prima Facie? [legal terminology explained]

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Is prima facie evidence enough to win a case?

Successfully presenting a prima facie case does not mean that a party wins. The opposing party then has the opportunity to offer evidence that contradicts (rebuts) the other party's prima facie case. The party with the burden of proof then has the opportunity to attack the rebuttal evidence.

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. 

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.

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.

Who decides if a prima facie case exists?

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.

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 next after prima facie determination?

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.

How to prove a prima facie case?

In a prima facie tort claim, the plaintiff first provides evidence that a tort was committed by the defendant, then the burden of proof shifts to the defendant to disprove they committed the tort.

What is the legal term for lack of evidence?

insufficient evidence. Insufficient evidence is the evidence which fails to meet the burden of proof and is inadequate to prove a fact.

Can prima facie evidence be rebutted?

(c) Prima facie evidence

Where a statute or regulation provides that a fact or group of facts is prima facie evidence of another fact at issue, the party against whom the prima facie evidence is directed has the burden of production to rebut or meet such prima facie evidence.

What is a prima facie offence?

MaintainedGlossaryAustralia, Federal. A Latin term literally meaning "at first appearance" or "on the face of it". It is used in both civil and criminal law to denote that, on its face, sufficient evidence exists to support a case.

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.”

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.

Does prima facie protect you?

Protection from Removal: For VAWA petitioners, a prima facie finding can sometimes offer a level of protection from removal (deportation) proceedings, offering a safer environment while your case is being processed.

What benefits can you get with prima facie?

Here's a summary of some of the primary benefits:

  • Access to Temporary Financial Assistance. Depending on your state, prima facie determination may qualify you for certain public assistance programs from government agencies.
  • Potential Eligibility for Housing Programs. ...
  • Healthcare Access.

What is the strongest form of evidence in court?

The foundation of the Best Evidence Rule is that the original writing, recording or photograph is the 'best' way to prove the actual content of the evidence.

What are the three elements of a prima facie case?

The Elements of a Prima Facie Case: Duty, Breach, Cause, Injury.

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.

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.