Question Of Fact Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Question Of Fact, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Question Of Fact?

History and Meaning of Question of Fact

Question of fact is a fundamental term in the legal system that refers to a dispute or discrepancy about the factual circumstances of a case. The term has been used in the common law legal system for centuries and forms one of the two main inquiries in a case, with the other being the question of law. A question of fact is determined by a judge or a jury, and they must base their decision on the evidence presented by both parties.

In a case, the question of fact is concerned with what actually happened or the truth of the matter. It can arise when the parties to a lawsuit disagree on the details of a situation, and the judge or jury must decide which version of the events is accurate. A question of fact can also arise when there is a disagreement over the material facts in a case, such as what was said, done, or agreed to.

Examples of Question of Fact

1. In a civil case, a plaintiff has sued a defendant for breach of contract. The plaintiff claims that the defendant didn't fulfill their obligations under the contract, but the defendant disputes this. In this case, the question of fact would be whether or not the defendant breached the contract.

2. In a criminal trial, the prosecution accuses the defendant of stealing a car, but the defendant claims that they were in a different place at the time of the alleged theft. The question of fact in this case would be whether or not the defendant was present when the car was stolen.

3. In a personal injury case, the plaintiff claims that they were injured by the defendant's negligence, while the defendant argues that the plaintiff's injuries are not a result of their actions. In this case, the question of fact would be whether or not the plaintiff's injuries were caused by the defendant's negligence.

Legal Terms Similar to Question of Fact

1. Question of law: A legal issue to be decided by a judge or a jury, such as the interpretation of a statute or the constitutionality of a law.

2. Evidence: Testimony, documents, or physical objects presented in a case to prove or disprove a fact.

3. Jury instructions: Directions given to a jury by a judge on how to determine the facts of a case based on the evidence presented.