burden of proof

American  

noun

1. Chiefly Law. the obligation to offer evidence that the court or jury could reasonably believe, in support of a contention, failing which the case will be lost.

2. the obligation to establish a contention as fact by evoking evidence of its probable truth.

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burden of proof British  

noun

1. law the obligation, in criminal cases resting initially on the prosecution, to provide evidence that will convince the court or jury of the truth of one's contention

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burden of proof Idioms  

1. Obligation of proving a disputed charge or allegation. For example, Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you. A legal term dating from the late 1500s, it has also been used more loosely in recent times.

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Etymology

Origin of burden of proof

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

Both have higher burdens of proof than asylum but don’t provide a pathway to citizenship.

From Los Angeles Times

Apparently, Kennedy has never heard of the burden of proof or the extreme difficulty in proving a negative.

From Salon

The legislation, which was referred to the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees, is intended to remove the burden of proof Scott and others have faced when seeking medical treatment.

From Washington Post

The burden of proof rests with the claimants in these kinds of cases, who must prove their case on the balance of probabilities.

From BBC

If implemented, lawsuits against social media companies involving kids under 16 will shift the burden of proof and require social media companies show their products weren’t harmful — not the other way around.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• onus