Law Dictionary

fact

Anything done, or said; an act or action; an actual occurance; a circumstance; whatever comes to pass; an event. See Factum. Subjects of jurisprudence are facts and laws: facts are the source and cause of laws. From facts proceed rights and wrongs. By fact is meant anything the subject of testimony. Perception is a fact. If any emotion is felt, as joy, grief, anger, the feeling is a fact. If the operation of the mind is productive of an effect, as intention, knowledge, skill, the possession of this effect is a fact. If any proposition be true, whatever is affirmed or denied in it is a fact. - "Fact" is contrasted with "law". Law is a principle, fact is an event; law is conceived, fact is actual; law is a rule of duty, fact is that which accords with or contravenes the rule. -

Source : William C. Anderson, A Dictionary of Law (1893)

Language : English

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