Legal Definitions - full proof

In legal terms, "full proof" refers to evidence that is so comprehensive, compelling, and conclusive that it establishes a fact or claim with absolute certainty, leaving no reasonable doubt or alternative explanation. It signifies an overwhelmingly convincing body of evidence that makes the truth of a matter undeniable.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Criminal Investigation

  Imagine a high-profile robbery case where investigators recover not only the stolen items from the suspect's home but also find the suspect's fingerprints on the getaway vehicle, a clear video recording of the suspect committing the act, and a signed confession from the suspect detailing the crime. This collection of evidence—physical recovery, forensic identification, visual confirmation, and a voluntary admission—would constitute "full proof" of the suspect's guilt.

  How it illustrates "full proof": Each piece of evidence independently points to the suspect, and together they form an irrefutable chain, leaving no room for reasonable doubt about who committed the robbery. The evidence is so complete and consistent that it conclusively establishes the fact of guilt.

• Example 2: Contract Dispute

  Consider a dispute between a client and a contractor over whether a specific payment was made for services rendered. The client claims they paid, while the contractor denies receiving it. If the client presents a bank statement showing a direct transfer of the exact amount to the contractor's business account on the agreed date, along with a digitally signed receipt from the contractor acknowledging payment, this would be considered "full proof" of the payment.

  How it illustrates "full proof": The combination of an official financial record (bank statement) and a signed acknowledgment from the recipient (digital receipt) provides undeniable evidence that the payment occurred. There is no plausible alternative explanation for these two pieces of evidence existing together, thus conclusively proving the payment.

• Example 3: Intellectual Property Infringement

  A software company accuses a competitor of copying its unique code. The company presents a detailed forensic analysis showing identical, non-functional "Easter eggs" (hidden features) embedded in both its own software and the competitor's software, along with timestamped development logs proving its code existed first. Furthermore, an internal memo from the competitor's former employee explicitly details the directive to copy the original company's code.

  How it illustrates "full proof": The presence of identical, non-functional elements that serve no purpose other than to identify the source, combined with chronological development records and an admission from within the infringing company, provides "full proof" of copyright infringement. The evidence is so specific and multifaceted that it leaves no reasonable doubt that the competitor copied the original software.