Immaterial Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Immaterial, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Immaterial?

(adj) The adjective ‘Immaterial’ is used to qualify an article, material, action, event etc which cannot or does not influence in any way the subject matter under consideration. A material can be immaterial even though it is related to the subject because of the difference in the magnitude

History and Definition of Immaterial

The term "immaterial" means something that is of no consequence or significance or has no relevance. It is used to describe something that is not important in the context of a particular matter. The term is derived from the Latin word "immaterialis," which means "not material."

In legal terms, the concept of immateriality refers to evidence that is not relevant to the legal issues at hand. This means that it cannot be used to prove or disprove a point in a legal case. Such evidence is considered immaterial and therefore inadmissible.

Examples of Immaterial

There are many examples of immaterial things in different contexts. For instance, in a criminal trial, a witness's testimony about what someone was wearing on a specific day might be immaterial if the case is based on DNA evidence. In a civil lawsuit, a small scratch on a car that has been totaled would be immaterial to the case. Here are a few more examples:

  • The defendant's prior criminal record is immaterial to the current case
  • A minor error in a contract that does not affect the validity of the contract is immaterial
  • A witness's personal opinion on a matter is immaterial if it is not relevant to the case

Legal Terms Similar to Immaterial

  • Irrelevant Evidence: Evidence that has no bearing on the case at hand
  • Immaterial Information: Information that is not relevant to the legal issue being considered
  • Inconsequential: Something that is not important or significant in the context of a particular matter.