Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: guilt phase
Special Matter: This is a term used in legal cases. It means something that is not ordinary or usual and needs to be proven with special evidence. It is a subject that is being disputed or argued in court. It can also refer to new information that is brought up during a case.
Definition: Special matter is a term used in common-law pleading to refer to out-of-the-ordinary evidence that a defendant is allowed to enter, after notice to the plaintiff, under a plea of the general issue. In simpler terms, it refers to evidence that is not typically allowed in court but can be used by the defendant to defend themselves.
These examples illustrate how special matter can be used by a defendant to introduce evidence that may not be admissible under normal circumstances. It allows them to present a defense that may not have been possible otherwise.