What Is Prima Facie?
The Latin expression prima facie translates to ‘at first sight,’ ‘at first view,’ or ‘based on first impression.’ In both civil and criminal law, it denotes that a legal claim has enough evidence upon initial examination to proceed to trial or judgment.
Key Takeaways
- A prima facie case has sufficient pre-trial evidence reviewed by a judge to warrant the trial.
- These cases are often civil, with the burden of proof on the plaintiff.
- Courts may dismiss the case if the plaintiff lacks enough evidence.
- The defendant must present counter-evidence if a prima facie case is established.
Understanding Prima Facie
To initiate a lawsuit, the plaintiff must file a complaint stating that a defendant’s actions or inactions caused injury or damage. The plaintiff bears the burden of proof, needing to present prima facie evidence for each element of the charges.
For the case to proceed, the plaintiff must provide proof of specific intent and actions causing harm. If sufficient evidence exists, the judge deems the case prima facie, allowing it to proceed. If not, the court will likely dismiss the case. If a prima facie case is established, the defendant must present evidence to counter it during the trial to prevail.
Prima Facie in Tort Law
In tort law, a wrongful action causing harm or infringing rights constitutes a tort, often leading to monetary punishment in civil court.
To establish a prima facie tort case, the plaintiff must prove the defendant met all necessary components. For negligence torts, proof must show:
- The defendant had a duty not to harm the plaintiff
- The defendant breached this duty
- Actual harm occurred
- The breach caused the damages
Consider a landlord who dislikes dentists and neglects repairs, forcing a tenant dentist to close their practice. The dentist must prove the landlord’s actions caused the harm. If proven, the case proceeds; otherwise, it is dismissed.
Prima Facie in Criminal Law
In criminal law, the prosecution must present enough evidence of the crime. If the evidence is insufficient, the case won’t proceed to trial. For example, in a burglary case, proof must show unauthorized entry, intent to steal, and theft. The defendant can offer evidence disputing these points, aiming to create doubt and secure dismissal.
Real-World Example of Prima Facie
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination. A prima facie case of discrimination requires proof of:
- Membership in a protected class
- Suffering an adverse employment action
- Meeting employer’s expectations
- Different treatment compared to others
In the 1992 case of St. Mary’s Honor Center et al. v. Hicks, an employee alleged racial discrimination upon discharge. Although establishing a prima facie case, the court ruled insufficient evidence to prove discriminatory firing.
What Is the Meaning of Prima Facie?
‘Prima facie,’ a Latin term translating to ‘at first sight,’ signifies evidence that initially seems sufficient to prove a fact unless rebutted.
What Are the 4 Elements of a Prima Facie Case of Negligence?
To establish negligence, the required elements are:
- A legal duty owed by the defendant
- Breaching this duty
- Resulting injury to the plaintiff
- Evident causation of the injury by the breach
How Would You Use Prima Facie In a Sentence?
As an adjective describing a noun, e.g., a court case, one might say, ‘This is a textbook example of a prima facie case, so I’m allowing it to move to trial.’
What Are Prima Facie Duties?
Philosopher W. D. Ross described a prima facie duty as one binding or obligatory unless overridden by a stronger obligation, like telling the truth or obeying the law.
The Bottom Line
In civil law, prima facie cases require proof of duty, breach, damages, and causation, allowing the case to proceed if all components are met. In criminal law, sufficient evidence must demonstrate a crime, subject to refutation by the defendant.
Related Terms: Burden of Proof, Plaintiff, Negligence, Tort Law, Civil Rights Act 1964, Discrimination Law.
References
- Cornell Law School. “Prima Facie”.
- The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. “Three Kinds of Fault: Understanding the Purpose and Function of Causation in Tort Law”, Page 154.
- General Counsel Attorneys at Law. “Employee Must Meet Employer’s Legitimate Expectations To Establish Case of Employment Discrimination”.
- Library of Congress. “St. Mary’s Honor Center et al. v. Hicks”, Page 1.
- St. John’s University. “The Politics of Presumption: St. Mary’s Honor Center v. Hicks and the Burdens of Proof in Employment Discrimination Cases”, Journal of Civil Rights and Economic Development, vol. 9, issue 1, Fall 1993, pp. 75–80.
- Cornell Law School. “Negligence”.
- Stanford University Department of Philosphy. “William David Ross”.
