Prima facie evidence
Prima facie is a Latin word, used to mean ‘at first sight’ or ‘on its face’.
Prima facie evidence is evidence that, on initial examination, appears to sufficiently corroborate a case as to warrant its hearing. In common law jurisdictions, prima facie evidence is that which unless rebutted, would serve to prove a particular assertion.
In most jurisdictions, a prima facie case must exist before proceedings can commence to contest it, and lead to a judgment.