bevisværdi

Bevisværdi, or evidentiary value, is the degree to which evidence tends to prove or disprove a fact in dispute in a legal proceeding. It reflects how convincing evidence is within the legal standards of a jurisdiction. Bevisværdi depends on relevance, reliability, and sufficiency.

Relevance means the evidence has a logical connection to a fact in issue; reliability concerns the source and method of collection; sufficiency indicates whether, taken together with other evidence, it meets the required standard of proof. Evidence can be direct (eyewitness testimony, an admission) or circumstantial (for example, a fingerprint), and can be documentary or expert.

The bevisværdi of evidence can be enhanced by corroboration or weakened by inconsistencies, bias, poor provenance, or improper collection. Courts weigh bevisværdi against the applicable burden of proof: in civil cases, proof by a preponderance or balance of probabilities; in criminal cases, proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The assessment is often holistic and context-dependent: a piece of evidence with modest intrinsic value may gain significance when corroborated; conversely, strong but isolated evidence may be discounted if credibility is low or procedural flaws exist.

Bevisværdi is distinct from legal rules such as bevisbyrde (burden of proof) and beviskrav (evidentiary standards). It is a core concept in judicial decision-making, guiding how facts are established and how much weight a jury or judge assigns to different items of evidence.