Legal Definitions - manifest error

A manifest error is a mistake that is obvious and cannot be disputed. It can refer to an error in belief or judgment that does not match reality. For example, if someone buys a horse thinking it is the same one they rode before, but it turns out to be a different horse, that is a manifest error.

Another type of manifest error is a mistake made by a court or tribunal in their judgment or order. This can include errors of fact or law. For instance, if a judge makes a ruling that is clearly incorrect and goes against established legal principles, that would be a manifest error.

Manifest errors can have serious consequences, especially in legal proceedings. They can lead to wrongful convictions, financial losses, and other negative outcomes. It is important to identify and correct manifest errors as soon as possible to prevent further harm.

Examples:

• Buying a car that is advertised as having low mileage, but later discovering that the odometer has been tampered with and the actual mileage is much higher. This is a manifest error in the seller's claim.
• A judge in a criminal trial mistakenly allows evidence that should have been excluded, leading to a wrongful conviction. This is a manifest error in the judge's ruling.

In both of these examples, the error is obvious and cannot be disputed. It has a significant impact on the outcome of the situation and must be addressed to prevent further harm.