What is prima-facie evidence?

Prima-facie evidence refers to evidence that, if not challenged or contradicted, is sufficient to establish a fact or prove a case. It is often considered as the initial evidence that can stand on its own without the need for additional corroboration unless the opposing party provides evidence to refute it. This means that, in a legal context, if one party presents prima-facie evidence of a fact, that fact is accepted as true unless the other party can provide adequate evidence to dispute it.

In the context of legal proceedings, this type of evidence allows cases to move forward efficiently by reducing the burden of proof; once a party presents prima-facie evidence, it may shift the obligation to provide further evidence to the opposing party. Thus, it plays an essential role in judicial processes by establishing initial grounds for claims or defenses based on the evidence presented.