Prima Facie Script -

TITLE: Prima Facie – More Than Just Latin

INTRO (0:00–0:45)
Visual: Gavel, law books, then split screen – a judge looking skeptical / a lawyer presenting one key fact.

Host/Narrator:
“Imagine you’re in court. The plaintiff rests. The defendant’s lawyer stands up and says: ‘Your Honor, they haven’t even made a prima facie case.’

Sounds fancy. But here’s what they really mean: ‘They haven’t given us enough yet to take this seriously.’

Today, we’re breaking down prima facie – Latin for ‘at first sight.’ Not just a fancy phrase – it’s the legal gatekeeper that decides if your case lives or dies before it even begins.”

---

SECTION 1: The Core Definition (0:45–2:00)
Visual: Animated scale tipping slightly – just enough to move.

Narrator:
“Prima facie means: on its face, enough evidence to support a case – if you believe every fact the presenting party says.

It’s the legal equivalent of: ‘Okay, you’ve shown enough that a jury could rule for you. Now the other side has to respond.’

Key point: It’s not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s not ‘winning.’ It’s passing the first test.”

On-screen text:
Prima Facie = Sufficient on its face → shifts the burden of proof.

---

SECTION 2: Where It Shows Up in Real Law (2:00–4:00) prima facie script

Visual: Three labeled boxes: Civil Case / Criminal Case / Employment Law.

Narrator:

1. Civil case (e.g., breach of contract)
   Plaintiff must show:

   • There was a contract
   • They performed their part
   • Defendant didn’t
   • They suffered damages
     → That’s prima facie contract claim. If missing one? Case dismissed.

2. Criminal case – at preliminary hearing
   Prosecutor must show prima facie that:

   • A crime occurred
   • It’s likely the defendant did it
     → If not, judge drops charges. No trial.

3. Employment discrimination (McDonnell Douglas test)
   Employee shows:

   • They’re in protected class
   • Qualified for job
   • Adverse action happened
   • Someone similar outside class was treated better
     → That shifts burden to employer to give a non-discriminatory reason.

---

SECTION 3: Common Misunderstandings (4:00–5:15)

Visual: Red “X” over wrong ideas, checkmark over correct ones.

Narrator:

❌ “Prima facie means I’ve won.”
✅ No – it just means the case survives dismissal. The other side can still demolish your evidence later. TITLE: Prima Facie – More Than Just Latin

❌ “It’s the same as ‘beyond reasonable doubt.’”
✅ No – reasonable doubt is for criminal conviction. Prima facie is the low bar at the start.

❌ “Judges never dismiss for lack of prima facie case.”
✅ Actually happens all the time – saves courts from wasting time on legally insufficient claims.

---

SECTION 4: Real-Life Analogy (5:15–6:00)

Visual: Person knocking on a locked door.

Narrator:
“Think of prima facie as knocking on a courtroom door.

You knock. Judge says: ‘Show me you have a reason to enter.’
You show the key facts. Judge says: ‘Okay – come in. Now the other person has to respond.’

If you can’t even show that first key? The door stays locked. No hearing. No trial. No jury.”

---

SECTION 5: Why It Matters for You (6:00–7:00)

Visual: Law student, new lawyer, business owner icons. SECTION 2: Where It Shows Up in Real

Narrator:

• For law students: It’s on every torts, contracts, and crim pro exam. Know the elements.
• For lawyers: Never file a complaint without checking – do my alleged facts make out every element on their face?
• For business owners: If sued, ask your lawyer – ‘Have they even made a prima facie case?’ Sometimes the answer is no → move to dismiss.

---

OUTRO (7:00–7:30)

Narrator:
“Prima facie – first sight, not final verdict. It’s the legal world’s way of saying: Show me enough to keep talking.

Next time you hear that phrase, you’ll know: the burden just shifted.”

On-screen:
Subscribe for more legal breakdowns.
Question for comments: Can you think of a situation where someone made a ‘prima facie’ case but still lost?

---

---

3. Efficiency in Mock Trial and Moot Court

For law students, the prima facie script is the difference between an A and a B. Judges in competitions often ask: "Counsel, please state your prima facie elements." Without a memorized script, you lose credibility instantly.

---

I. Introduction

• Definition of Prima Facie: A Latin term meaning "at first glance" or "on the face of it." It refers to a case or situation that appears to be clear and obvious but might require further investigation to uncover all relevant facts.
• Objective of the Report: To present an initial assessment of a situation or case based on available information, highlighting its prima facie aspects and indicating areas where further investigation is warranted.

1. The Legal Framework (The Hook)

You must state the cause of action or crime explicitly. "This script establishes a prima facie case for Negligence." Or "This script establishes a prima facie case for First-Degree Burglary." Do not assume the judge knows your intent.

Review: Prima Facie – A Devastating Cross-Examination of Justice

Playwright: Suzie Miller
Format: One-woman play
Subject: Criminal justice, sexual assault law, class, and moral reversal

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Part 2: Why You Need a Prima Facie Script (The Strategic Edge)

Legal professionals use a prima facie script for three distinct reasons: