Legal Definitions - nude matter

Nude matter refers to a claim or assertion that lacks formal written documentation or official records to support it. It is essentially an unsupported allegation, relying solely on verbal statements or witness testimony rather than concrete, verifiable evidence.

In legal contexts, "nude matter" highlights a situation where a party presents a claim without any substantial proof beyond their mere word, making it difficult to establish the truth of the assertion.

• Example 1: Verbal Agreement Dispute

  Imagine a situation where a contractor claims a homeowner verbally agreed to pay an additional $5,000 for unforeseen work during a renovation project. However, there was no written change order, no email correspondence confirming the new price, and no witnesses present during the alleged conversation. The homeowner denies ever agreeing to the extra cost.

  Explanation: The contractor's claim for the additional $5,000 is considered "nude matter" because it is a bare allegation, unsupported by any written contract amendment, invoice, or independent corroboration. It relies solely on the contractor's verbal assertion against the homeowner's denial.

• Example 2: Workplace Misconduct Allegation

  An employee reports to Human Resources that a colleague made a derogatory comment about them during a private conversation in the breakroom. The employee has no recording of the conversation, no text messages, and no other employees witnessed the incident. The accused colleague denies making the comment.

  Explanation: The employee's accusation of a derogatory comment is "nude matter" because it is a verbal assertion without any corroborating evidence such as a written complaint filed at the time, an email, or other witnesses to confirm the event. It is one person's word against another's.

• Example 3: Consumer Warranty Claim

  A customer attempts to return a used electronic device to a store, claiming that a salesperson verbally promised them a "lifetime warranty" at the time of purchase, despite the product's standard written warranty clearly stating a one-year limited warranty. The customer has no receipt with a special notation, no email from the salesperson, and cannot identify the salesperson who allegedly made the promise.

  Explanation: The customer's assertion about a "lifetime warranty" is "nude matter" because it is a verbal claim unsupported by any written documentation, such as an altered receipt, a special warranty certificate, or a witness to the alleged promise. It stands as an unsupported allegation against the store's documented policy.