It is important to be able to determine the so-called material facts (substantive facts necessary for the decision of the dispute) of a case because they define the way in which the decision is made on the basis of a judicial precedent and the legal relationships between the parties. Here's how to determine the material facts in a court case.
Steps
Step 1. Know what material facts are
In its simplest form, the material fact is a "relevant" fact in relation to a given cause. These are data and facts that have a direct effect on the decision or that refer to the legal relationships between the parties.
Step 2. Consider what might and what might not be considered material
When analyzing a court case, the material facts go to the heart of what caused or influenced the outcome on which the plaintiff hinges the civil lawsuit (complaint). If a person does something regardless of other circumstances, or if it triggers a series of actions (out of habit or practice) regardless of other circumstances, then these other circumstances are not relevant. However, if the person acted only because such circumstances existed or if the usual course of action arose because the circumstances required it, the circumstances can be seen as material facts in relation to the court case.
Example: A person used email to send someone a contract. At the heart of the dispute are the terms of the contract, not its arrival time or method of delivery. In this case, the method of sending the contract does not constitute material fact. However, if the plaintiff complains that the contract did not arrive on time or was received in illegible form, the method of delivery could become relevant within the lawsuit
Step 3. Consider the material facts as important facts that determine the outcome of the case
They should be quite obvious when you look at the court case.
Step 4. Show that you understand the material facts when writing an essay, paper for an exam, or any other relevant document
The importance of clearly identifying the material facts consists in being able to determine them exactly, demonstrating to the person who evaluates your work that you have recognized the following aspects: the legal principle that governs them, the material facts relating to the court case on which you are working and applying the law with reference to the material facts relating to the dispute in question. By regurgitating all the laws in question, no matter how precise you may be, you will not convince those who verify your work that you understand how the law intervenes in this regard and you will not ensure a good evaluation.
