Legal Definitions - ultimate issue

Ultimate issue refers to the main point of dispute between two or more parties. It is the fundamental issue that needs to be decided by a court in ruling on a point of law. It can be a legal or factual issue that is sufficient to resolve the entire case.

• A deep issue is the ultimate, concrete question that a court needs to answer to decide a point your way. For example, in a personal injury case, the deep issue could be whether the defendant's negligence caused the plaintiff's injuries.
• An issue of fact is a point supported by one party's evidence and controverted by another's. For example, in a criminal trial, the issue of fact could be whether the defendant committed the crime.
• An issue of law is a point on which the evidence is undisputed, and the outcome depends on the court's interpretation of the law. For example, in a contract dispute, the issue of law could be whether the contract is enforceable.

These examples illustrate how ultimate issue can be a legal or factual question that needs to be resolved to determine the outcome of a case.