Which term best describes the focus on what happened in a case (facts)?

• A. Substantive law
• B. Questions of fact
• C. Original jurisdiction
• D. Questions of law

Answer: (B)

Questions of fact describe what happened in a case—the events, evidence, and testimony about the real-world sequence of actions. In a trial, juries or other fact-finders determine these elements to decide whether the facts support a particular outcome. Substantive law is about the rights and duties created by those facts, not the factual events themselves. Questions of law involve interpreting or applying the law to the facts, such as how a contract should be interpreted or whether a statute applies. Original jurisdiction concerns which court has authority to hear a case first, not the factual determinations. So, focusing on what actually occurred and the evidence presented is best described as questions of fact.