findings of fact
Definition
Findings of fact are a judge's or jury's official written conclusions about what actually happened in a dispute, based on the evidence presented at trial. Think of them as the "story of what occurred" that the court has officially decided to believe, separate from any legal conclusions drawn from that story.
Example
In a contract dispute between you and a vendor, the court might issue a finding of fact stating that you did indeed deliver payment on time, which then becomes the accepted truth for purposes of the case.
Watch Out
Findings of fact are very difficult to overturn on appeal because higher courts typically defer to whoever originally heard the evidence, so winning or losing at the fact-finding stage is often the whole ballgame.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.