Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Merits: The important reasons or facts that help decide a case, instead of small or unimportant details. For example, when a court decides a case, they look at the merits of the arguments presented, not just the rules of how the case should be handled. Sometimes, the merits of a case involve what is fair or right, not just what the law says.
Definition: The elements or grounds of a claim or defense that are considered in deciding a case, as opposed to technical or extraneous points.
Examples:
These examples illustrate how the term "merits" refers to the essential elements of a case that are relevant to its outcome. In a trial on the merits, the focus is on the substantive issues that will determine the verdict, rather than technicalities or procedural matters. Similarly, in a case involving a controversial issue like euthanasia, the court may consider the merits of the arguments presented by both sides, in addition to the legal aspects of the case.