irrebuttable

Irrebuttable is an adjective meaning incapable of being contradicted or disproved. In law and philosophy, it is often used to describe a presumption, rule, or piece of evidence that cannot be challenged by opposing arguments or counter-evidence. The term is commonly linked with the phrases irrebuttable presumption or irrebuttable evidence, though in many contexts the idea is more precisely described as a conclusive presumption or conclusive evidence.

In legal contexts, an irrebuttable or conclusive presumption asserts a fact for purposes of the law that cannot be disproved by contrary evidence. Once the presumption applies, the fact is treated as proven for the applicable legal effect. This stands in contrast to a rebuttable presumption, which remains subject to being overcome by evidence to the contrary.

Applications vary by jurisdiction and area of law, but irrebuttable presumptions frequently appear in statutory schemes or administrative rules designed to promote certainty, efficiency, or policy goals. They have been criticized for potentially undermining fairness and due process, since they foreclose counter-evidence regardless of a party’s circumstances.

In general usage, irrebuttable can describe any claim presented as an indisputable fact. The term signals that there is no permitted argument or evidence that can refute the asserted proposition, which can be important for understandings of law, logic, or policy.