Legal Definitions - collateral issue

Collateral issue is a question or issue that is not directly related to the main matter in dispute between two or more parties. For example, in a court case about a car accident, a collateral issue might be whether or not one of the witnesses is telling the truth about their whereabouts at the time of the accident.

Collateral issues are not considered important to the main case and are often not allowed to be brought up in court. They can distract from the main issue and waste time and resources.

Another example of a collateral issue might be in a debate about climate change. A collateral issue could be whether or not one of the scientists involved in the research has a conflict of interest.

Overall, collateral issues are not directly related to the main matter in dispute and are often not allowed to be brought up in court or in other formal settings.