Legal Definitions - point of fact

A point of fact refers to a specific, individual statement about something that happened or exists, which is disputed by the parties in a legal case. It is a concrete detail whose truth or falsehood must be determined by a judge or jury to resolve the legal matter.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Car Accident Liability: In a lawsuit following a car collision, a key point of fact might be "whether Driver A had a green light when entering the intersection."

  This is a specific, verifiable detail about the event. The drivers involved will likely present conflicting accounts, and the court or jury must decide which account of the traffic light's color is true to determine who was at fault for the accident.

• Contract Breach Dispute: If a company sues a supplier for failing to deliver goods on time, a crucial point of fact could be "whether the supplier shipped the products by the agreed-upon date of June 15th."

  This is a precise action (or inaction) that is central to the contract dispute. The company might claim the shipment was late, while the supplier might present evidence it was on time. The court needs to establish this specific fact to determine if the contract was breached and if damages are owed.

• Criminal Theft Case: In a trial for shoplifting, a significant point of fact might be "whether the defendant was captured on the store's surveillance video placing the item into their bag without paying."

  This is a concrete, observable action alleged by the prosecution. The defense might argue the video is unclear, shows someone else, or that the defendant intended to pay. The jury's determination of this specific factual detail is vital for deciding the defendant's guilt or innocence.