pistetapauksen

Pistetapaus is a Finnish legal term that refers to a specific point or issue within a broader case. The word is composed of “piste,” meaning point, and “tapaus,” meaning case. In legal practice, a pistetapaus isolates a particular legal question for detailed examination, often in the context of evidence, argumentation, or statutory interpretation. The term is frequently used by jurists, judges, and scholars when outlining the key issues that must be resolved in order to decide the overall matter.

The concept is distinct from a full case (tapaus) in that it focuses on discrete aspects rather than the entire narrative. For example, when a plaintiff alleges breach of contract, the court might break the dispute into pistetapaus such as the interpretation of the contract clause, the standard of proof, and the applicable statute of limitations. Each pistetapaus can be addressed separately in written judgments, memos, or oral arguments.

In academic settings, pistetapaus analysis is common in legal education, where students are asked to identify and evaluate individual legal points before constructing a whole argument. Legal texts and textbooks often present case studies divided into pistetapaus to illustrate the step‑by‑step reasoning process. The use of pistetapaus therefore helps clarify complex legal reasoning, improve precision in legal drafting, and ensure that all relevant legal angles are systematically addressed.