Legal Definitions - dispositive fact

A dispositive fact is a piece of information that, if proven true or false, has the power to resolve a legal dispute or a significant part of it, often making further investigation into other details unnecessary. It's a crucial fact because its presence or absence directly determines the outcome of a claim or defense, effectively "disposing" of the issue.

• Example 1: Contract Dispute

  Imagine a scenario where two businesses are in court over an alleged agreement to sell a piece of land. One party claims a verbal agreement was made, while the other denies it. However, the law in that jurisdiction explicitly states that all contracts for the sale of real estate must be in writing and signed by both parties to be legally enforceable.

  How it illustrates the term: In this case, the existence (or non-existence) of a properly signed written contract for the land sale is a dispositive fact. If it's proven that no such written document exists, the court can immediately rule that no enforceable contract was formed, regardless of any verbal promises or intentions. This single fact resolves the entire contract dispute.

• Example 2: Personal Injury Lawsuit and Statute of Limitations

  Consider a person suing a company for injuries sustained due to a faulty product. The lawsuit alleges negligence and seeks compensation. However, the state law imposes a "statute of limitations," meaning such lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury occurring.

  How it illustrates the term: The exact date the injury occurred, and the date the lawsuit was officially filed, are dispositive facts. If it is proven that the lawsuit was filed two years and one day after the injury, the court will likely dismiss the entire case. The fact that the filing occurred outside the legal deadline is enough to resolve the matter, making it unnecessary to examine whether the product was actually faulty or if the company was negligent.

• Example 3: Will Contest

  Suppose a family member challenges the validity of a deceased relative's will, claiming the will was not properly witnessed. The law in that state requires a will to be signed by the testator (the person making the will) in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the will in the testator's presence.

  How it illustrates the term: The fact of whether the will was signed by two witnesses in the manner prescribed by law is a dispositive fact. If it is proven that only one witness signed, or that the witnesses did not sign in the testator's presence, the will could be declared invalid. This single factual finding would resolve the challenge to the will's validity, making it unnecessary to investigate other claims, such as whether the testator was of sound mind.