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matter of law

American  

noun

Law.
  1. an issue or matter to be determined according to the relevant principles of law.


matter of law British  

noun

  1. law an issue requiring the court's interpretation of the law or relevant principles of the law Compare matter of fact

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But as a matter of law, the TPS statute precludes judicial review.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

US District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled last week that the charges did not meet "the federal statutory definition of a 'crime of violence' as matter of law".

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Rather, they should be a matter of law.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

In letters to colleagues and friends, he maintained that “the school decisions were wrongly decided,” misguided not only as a matter of law but as social policy as well.

From Slate • Aug. 6, 2024

The issue thus presented being joined, would have involved matter of law, on which the jury must have passed, under the direction of the court.

From Report of the Decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and the Opinions of the Judges Thereof, in the Case of Dred Scott versus John F.A. Sandford December Term, 1856. by Howard, Benjamin C.

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