Legal Definitions - public fact

A public fact refers to information that is generally known, readily ascertainable, or officially recorded and accessible to the general public. In legal contexts, public facts often do not require extensive formal proof because their truth is widely accepted or easily verifiable through public records, common knowledge, or widely disseminated information.

• Example 1: Real Estate Ownership

  Imagine a situation where two neighbors are discussing a property line dispute, and one claims ownership of a small strip of land. The ownership of real estate, including who holds the legal title to a specific parcel of land, is typically recorded in public land registries or county recorder's offices.

  This is a public fact because the information is officially documented and accessible to anyone who wishes to look it up. A court would readily accept the recorded ownership without requiring extensive additional proof, as it is easily verifiable through public records.

• Example 2: A Major Historical Event

  Consider a legal contract that references a specific date, such as "the date of the moon landing." The date of the first human moon landing (July 20, 1969) is a significant historical event that is widely known and extensively documented in numerous public historical records, news archives, and educational materials.

  This is a public fact because its occurrence and date are common knowledge and can be easily confirmed through widely available and credible historical sources. A court would likely accept this date without requiring expert testimony or extensive evidence to prove it.

• Example 3: Public Company's Financial Results

  Suppose a lawsuit involves a claim related to the financial performance of a publicly traded corporation. The quarterly or annual financial results of such a company, including its revenue, profit, and loss figures, are regularly disclosed to the public through regulatory filings (such as those with the Securities and Exchange Commission) and official press releases.

  These financial figures are public facts because they are officially reported, widely disseminated, and easily accessible to investors, analysts, and the general public. They are considered verifiable and generally accepted as accurate for legal purposes without needing further substantiation in court.