preponderance of the evidence

Definition of preponderance of the evidence

Noun

preponderance of the evidence (uncountable)

1. (law) A legal standard, applied in many jurisdictions for deciding the outcome of civil disputes, which requires that evidence be sufficient to determine that a claim is more likely to be true than not.

Synonyms

• balance of probabilities

Coordinate terms

• clear and convincing evidence
• beyond a reasonable doubt
• probable cause

Further reading

Preponderance of the evidence, also known as balance of probabilities is the standard required in most civil cases. The standard is met if the proposition is more likely to be true than not true. Effectively, the standard is satisfied if there is greater than 50 percent chance that the proposition is true. Lord Denning, in Miller v. Minister of Pensions,[1] described it simply as "more probable than not." Until 1970, this was also the standard used in juvenile court in the United States.

References

1. ^ Miller v. Minister of Pensions [1947] 2 All ER 372