Legal Definitions - statement of facts

A statement of facts is a written presentation of the events or circumstances leading up to a legal dispute. It is usually included at the beginning of a legal brief.

When drafting a statement of facts, it is important to balance two principles. First, judges want a non-argumentative, fair summary without any comments. Second, the statement of facts should persuade the judges to rule in favor of the party presenting it.

For example, in a personal injury case, the statement of facts would include details about the accident, such as the date, time, and location, as well as the injuries sustained by the plaintiff.

Another example is an agreed statement of facts, which is a narrative statement that both parties agree is correct. This type of statement is submitted to a tribunal for a ruling. An agreed statement on appeal is filed on appeal instead of a report of the trial proceedings.

These examples illustrate how a statement of facts is used to provide a clear and concise summary of the events leading up to a legal dispute. It helps the judge or tribunal understand the case and make an informed decision.