Ténymegállapítás

Ténymegállapítás is the process of establishing factual circumstances relevant to an inquiry, dispute, or decision. It involves identifying what actually occurred, using available evidence and critical assessment to reach a factual understanding that can serve as a basis for further legal, administrative, or policy-related conclusions.

In legal and administrative contexts, ténymegállapítás is typically carried out by a decision-maker such as a court, a prosecutor, or an administrative authority. The outcome is a factual finding (tényállítás) about events, actions, or conditions that have bearing on the case or issue at hand. These findings underpin the application of applicable law, damages, liability, or disciplinary measures.

The process relies on various sources of evidence, including documents, records, witness testimony, expert opinions, and physical or forensic evidence. It requires careful evaluation of reliability, relevance, and corroboration, as well as consideration of alternative explanations. The aim is to avoid unsupported speculation and to maintain impartiality and consistency in reasoning. The burden and standard of proof influence how facts are assessed, with higher thresholds typically applied in criminal matters than in some civil or administrative cases.

Ténymegállapítás can be supplemented or complemented by fact-finding procedures (tényfeltárás) when an investigation is ongoing or when formal inquiries are conducted. Limitations may arise from incomplete or conflicting evidence, procedural rights of parties, and potential biases. Outside legal contexts, the term can also be used to describe the determination of facts in research, journalism, or policy analysis, always with the aim of a clear, evidence-based understanding of what occurred.