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FindLaw Legal Dictionary

The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.

term:

Matter

matter n

1 : a subject of consideration, disagreement, or litigation: as
a : a legal case, dispute, or issue [a within the court's jurisdiction] often used in titles of legal proceedings [ of Doe] see also in re
b : one or more facts, claims, or rights examined, disputed, asserted, proven, or determined by legal process

matter in controversy
1 : matter called also matter in dispute
2 : the monetary amount involved in a case

matter in issue
: a matter that is in dispute as part or all of a legal issue

matter of fact
: a matter primarily involving proof or evidence rather than a question of law

matter of form
: a matter concerning form or details often of a relatively inessential nature rather than substance [a petition invalid because of a matter of form]

matter of law
: a matter involving or consisting of the application of law [entitled to judgment as a matter of law "National Law Journal"]

matter of record
: a matter (as a fact) entered on the record of a court or other official body [the security interest was a matter of record]

matter of substance
: a matter concerning the merits of a case rather than form or relatively inessential details
2 : written, printed, or postal material [obscene ]



Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

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