What legal term refers to something accepted as correct until proven otherwise?

The legal term that refers to something accepted as correct until proven otherwise is "prima facie." This term is often used in legal contexts to indicate that a case or claim has sufficient evidence to support it at first glance or on its face value. When a matter is established as prima facie, it stands as a valid assumption acting as a baseline that requires the opposing party to provide additional evidence to challenge it.

In legal proceedings, establishing prima facie evidence allows a party to advance their case without needing exhaustive proof at the initial stages, delineating a clear starting point for further arguments and evidence presentation. This principle is foundational in many areas of law, including tort and contract law, where certain facts or circumstances can be assumed true unless disproven by the other party's evidence.

The other options represent different concepts in legal terminology. Substantive evidence refers to evidence that directly proves a fact at issue, while presumptive evidence involves reasonable assumptions based on established facts, which does not carry the same weight as prima facie. Hearsay evidence pertains to statements made outside of court that are presented for the truth of the matter asserted, typically considered inadmissible due to reliability concerns. Thus, "prima facie" is the most accurate term to