Prima Facie
Prima Facie is a Latin term commonly used in the legal profession that means "at first sight" or "based on first impression." It's used when describing evidence or a legal case that appears strong enough to prove a point unless contradicted. When you see this term in a resume, it typically indicates that the candidate has experience in evaluating initial evidence, preparing preliminary case assessments, or handling cases where they needed to establish basic proof before proceeding further. Think of it as a legal professional's ability to determine if there's enough initial evidence to move forward with a case.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted Prima Facie case evaluations for over 200 potential civil litigation matters
Successfully established Prima Facie evidence in 85% of handled employment discrimination cases
Trained junior associates in Prima Facie case assessment techniques
Typical job title: "Legal Associates"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Legal Associates
Legal Professional Networks
Job Boards
Professional Development
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain how you've trained others in evaluating prima facie evidence?
Expected Answer: A senior legal professional should discuss their experience in mentoring junior staff, creating evaluation frameworks, and providing practical examples of how to assess initial evidence in different types of cases.
Q: Describe a complex case where the prima facie evidence was challenging to establish.
Expected Answer: They should be able to walk through a specific example, explaining their strategy, how they overcame obstacles, and what they learned from the experience.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you determine if there's sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed with a case?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of evidence evaluation, understanding of case requirements, and ability to make practical judgments about case viability.
Q: What steps do you take when presenting prima facie evidence in court?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for organizing and presenting initial evidence, including preparation methods and presentation strategies.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is prima facie evidence and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that it's evidence sufficient to establish a fact unless disproven, and its importance in initial case evaluation.
Q: Can you give an example of prima facie evidence in a simple case?
Expected Answer: Should provide a basic example, such as time cards in a wage dispute case, showing understanding of how initial evidence supports legal claims.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic case assessment
- Evidence gathering
- Legal research
- Document preparation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Case strategy development
- Evidence evaluation
- Client consultation
- Court presentation
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex case management
- Team leadership
- Strategy development
- Training and mentoring
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain basic evidence requirements
- Lack of practical case assessment experience
- Poor understanding of legal documentation
- No experience in court proceedings
Related Terms
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