Fact pattern
A fact pattern or fact situation is a summary of the key facts of a particular legal case, presented without any associated discussion of their legal consequences.
For example, at common law, "Murder is the killing of another human being with malice aforethought and without justification or excuse." The elements of the crime are killing and malice aforethought i.e. intentional action. Possible defenses include legal justification or excuse.
The fact pattern from a homicide case might be:
The fact pattern can be analyzed to determine whether the elements of the crime exist and, if so, what defenses may be available to the defendant, such as in this case, the right to self defense and the lack of a duty to retreat in one's own home.
Fact patterns are an important element of law school examinations, with students expected to identify the relevant facts from the scenario presented, then summarize and synthesize the law as implicated by the fact pattern.
