genuine issues of material fact

Noun

genuine issue of material fact (plural genuine issues of material fact)

1. A dispute over a material fact upon which the outcome of a legal case may rely, and which therefore must be decided by a judge or jury; a dispute which precludes summary judgment.
   • We think there is nothing in these three asserted facts which has a direct bearing upon, or casts doubt as to, the particular and detailed circumstances presented by the Ambassador. They are inadequate to show a genuine issue of material fact as to the existence of the original documents.1940 Banco De Espana v. Federal Reserve Bank, 114 F.2d 438, 447 (2d Cir. 1940)