Casefacts

Casefacts refers to the factual circumstances surrounding a legal dispute—the events, actions, conditions, and evidence that establish what happened and who was involved. These facts form the backdrop against which legal issues are analyzed and are distinguished from the legal questions themselves, such as the interpretation of statutes, contract terms, or constitutional principles.

Facts are established through evidence presented in proceedings, including witness testimony, documentary records, physical or expert evidence, and stipulated or admitted facts. The reliability and completeness of case facts depend on the quality of the evidence and the method of presentation. Judges and juries assess these facts to determine what actually occurred and what can be proven to a given standard of proof.

In civil cases, the standard is typically a preponderance of the evidence, while criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The court then applies applicable law to the established facts to reach a decision. Many jurisdictions separate factual findings from legal conclusions, with findings of fact generally subject to different review standards on appeal (often deference to the trial court, with some exceptions for misapprehensions of the record).

Case facts are commonly summarized in judicial opinions, case briefs, and records, providing the context needed to understand the ruling. Accurate, neutral presentation of facts is crucial to avoid misinterpretation and to facilitate fair appellate review and scholarly analysis.