Legal Definitions - half-proof

In civil law, "half-proof" refers to evidence that, while appearing valid or establishing a prima facie case, is insufficient on its own to support a final sentence or decree. It typically consists of testimony from a single witness or a private instrument, which alone does not meet the full evidentiary standard required for a court's decision.

In civil law, half-proof refers to evidence that, while appearing credible or having some initial weight, is ultimately insufficient on its own to fully establish a claim or support a final judgment. It suggests that while there is some indication of a fact, there isn't enough robust or corroborating evidence to meet the required legal standard for a definitive ruling. This often occurs when evidence is limited to a single source, such as the testimony of only one witness, or a document that lacks official verification or independent support.

Here are a few examples to illustrate this concept:

• Scenario 1: Single Witness Testimony
  A small business owner sues a former employee for allegedly stealing a valuable client list. The owner testifies under oath that they personally overheard the employee discussing plans to take the list to a competitor. However, there are no other witnesses, no emails, no documents, and no security footage to corroborate this claim.

  Explanation: The owner's testimony provides a direct accusation and some evidence, but as it comes from a single, interested party without any supporting evidence, a court might consider it "half-proof." It suggests the employee *might* have stolen the list, but it's not strong enough on its own to definitively prove the theft and award damages or impose a judgment against the employee.

• Scenario 2: Unverified Private Document
  Two neighbors are in a dispute over the exact location of their shared fence line. One neighbor presents an old, undated, and unsigned handwritten note, purportedly from a previous owner, which vaguely describes where the boundary was supposedly agreed upon decades ago. There are no official surveys or property records that match this note.

  Explanation: The handwritten note serves as a piece of evidence, a "private instrument" that *suggests* a historical boundary agreement. However, because it's undated, unsigned, and lacks any official record or corroborating testimony from someone who witnessed its creation, it constitutes "half-proof." It hints at a fact but is too unreliable to be the sole basis for a court's decision on the property line.

• Scenario 3: Circumstantial Evidence Lacking Direct Link
  A tenant sues their landlord for damages to their apartment caused by a persistent leak. The tenant provides photos of the water damage, receipts for damaged furniture, and emails showing they reported *general* plumbing issues in the building to the landlord several months prior. However, the tenant cannot provide any specific communication or evidence that they reported *this particular leak* or that the landlord was specifically negligent in addressing the direct cause of the damage.

  Explanation: The photos and receipts prove damage occurred, and the emails show the landlord was aware of general plumbing problems. This evidence creates a suspicion of negligence. However, without a direct link proving the landlord was specifically notified about *this particular leak* and failed to act, or that the general issues directly caused this specific damage, the evidence might be considered "half-proof." It shows a problem and a general awareness, but not a clear, actionable link to the landlord's specific negligence regarding the damage in question that would be sufficient for a definitive ruling.