Legal Definitions - gravamen

Gravamen is the main part of a legal dispute or claim. It is the essential element that the case revolves around.

For example, if someone sues a company for a defective product, the gravamen of the case is whether the company made a defective product that caused harm. Even though there may be other issues involved, such as the extent of the damage or the amount of compensation, the gravamen is the central issue that the case is based on.

Another example is a case involving the sale of goods and services. If there is a dispute over whether a contract is for goods or services, the gravamen of the case is determining which category the contract falls under. This is important because the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs the sale of goods but not services.

The gravamen is important because it helps to focus the case and determine what evidence and arguments are relevant. It also helps to simplify complex cases by identifying the main issue that needs to be resolved.