question of law

American  

[kwes-chuhn uhv law] / ˈkwɛs tʃən əv ˈlɔ /

noun

1. a question concerning a rule or the legal effect or consequence of an event or circumstance, usually determined by a court or judge.

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How does question-of-law compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• question of law vs. question of fact

Example Sentences

Third principle: The Manual continues: “The lawfulness of an order is a question of law to be determined by the military judge.”

From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025

"She is abdicating her duty, and this is something that she needs to decide, not a jury. It's a question of law, not a question of fact."

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2024

However weak or strong the claim — I don’t think it’s as ridiculous as others contend — the important point is that higher courts will decide it as a question of law.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2023

Judge Richard M. Berman ruled there was no substantial question nor any close question of law to warrant letting the Indiana Republican remain free until his appeal is decided.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 16, 2023

In English law, once the jury had given a verdict there could be an appeal on a question of law but there could be no appeal on a question of fact.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton