"prima facie" (Latin)

What does the Latin term prima facie mean?

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"Prima facie" is a Latin term that is commonly used in legal and academic contexts. It translates to "at first sight" or "on the face of it" in English. It refers to evidence or a case that appears to be true or valid based on initial observations or a preliminary examination. It suggests that something is presumed to be true until further evidence or argument is presented to prove otherwise.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three example sentences:

The plaintiff presented prima facie evidence of discrimination, which, if not refuted, would support their case.
In a prima facie analysis of the contract, it seems that the terms and conditions have been violated, warranting further investigation.
The judge ruled that the defendant had established a prima facie case of self-defense, which meant that the burden of proof shifted to the prosecution to challenge that claim.