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This is not a literal screenplay for a Hollywood film. Instead, the prima facie script is a structured, oral or written template used by attorneys, arbitrators, and students to establish the bare minimum necessary to win a case—provided the opposing party presents no rebuttal. Whether you are preparing for a debate, drafting a motion to dismiss, or writing a legal drama, mastering the prima facie script is essential.
Avoid telling actors how to say lines (e.g., (angrily) or (sadly) ). If the dialogue is well-written, the emotion is already obvious. prima facie script
Characters rarely say exactly what they mean. True emotion lives between the lines.
In criminal law, the Prima Facie Script is even more critical because the burden is higher at trial (beyond a reasonable doubt). However, for a preliminary hearing or to survive a motion to dismiss, the prosecutor only needs a prima facie script. Law student, new lawyer, business owner icons
Even experienced lawyers botch the Prima Facie Script. Avoid these errors:
If you are a screenwriter writing a legal thriller, write the prima facie script first. It ensures your plot twist is legally viable. No judge will allow a dramatic "aha" moment if the plaintiff never established a prima facie duty in the first place. Whether you are preparing for a debate, drafting
"To establish a prima facie breach of contract, the plaintiff will show: (1) a valid contract existed between the parties; (2) the plaintiff performed their obligations or had a valid excuse for non-performance; (3) the defendant materially breached the contract; and (4) the plaintiff suffered damages as a direct result of that breach."
Subscribe for more legal breakdowns. Question for comments: Can you think of a situation where someone made a ‘prima facie’ case but still lost?