prima facie case

American  

noun

Law.

1. a case in which the evidence produced is sufficient to enable a decision or verdict to be made unless the evidence is rebutted.

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Etymology

Origin of prima facie case

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

That has not stopped critics questioning why charges were dropped after four years in court and after a judge had already ruled that prosecutors had established a prima facie case.

From Reuters • Sep. 16, 2023

But under the law, to pierce the attorney-client privilege, the government must prove a prima facie case and prove that communications were made to further a fraud or crime.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2023

However bail was refused, with Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan stating she believed a prima facie case had been established.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2023

That constituted “a prima facie case of undisclosed earmarking,” according to the plaintiffs.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2022

Here was a clue to the recovery of his ward:—in legal parlance, here was a prima facie case; and it but remained to find and prosecute the criminals.

From The Advocate by Heavysege, Charles