Also known as:by reason of the fact · because · due to the fact that
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A causal connector specifying that a legal consequence or status arises directly from a particular fact, condition, or relationship.
Sources & Authorities· 40 primary sources
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Cases
Statutes
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Insanity Defense Moral Belief
Bobby Brady shot his neighbor during a psychotic episode. He argued for acquittal by reason of the fact that he believed the act was morally justified. The court rejected the defense because Bobby retained the capacity to recognize that society viewed the conduct as wrong.
Unmarketable Title Encumbrance
Barbara Bennett contracted to buy land from Benson Motors. She refused to close by reason of the fact that an unreleased lien appeared in the chain of title. The court permitted rescission because a reasonably prudent purchaser would not accept the clouded title.
Joinder Risk of Inconsistent Obligations
Brookside Pharmaceuticals sued Blackwood Technologies. The court ordered joinder of a third party by reason of the fact that proceeding without it would expose Blackwood to a substantial risk of double or inconsistent obligations.
Bei Bai offered expert testimony that the defendant's conduct met the legal standard for negligence. The court admitted the opinion by reason of the fact that an expert view embracing an ultimate issue is not automatically objectionable.
Duress Coercion Defense
Brooke Bryant committed the charged offense only after an armed assailant threatened her family. She raised the affirmative defense by reason of the fact that a person of reasonable firmness in her situation would have been unable to resist the unlawful force.
Apparent Authority Estoppel
Bright Path Foods changed position after believing a transaction had been authorized by Benson Motors. The court imposed liability on Benson Motors by reason of the fact that it had carelessly caused the belief and failed to notify others of the true facts.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
2
How does the phrase function in corporate indemnity statutes?+
The phrase limits indemnity to claims arising directly from the individual's status as a corporate official rather than from personal conduct unrelated to that role.
Supporting sources
Does the phrase require strict but-for causation?+
Courts interpret the phrase to require that the fact or status be the direct reason for the legal consequence, though the precise standard varies by doctrine.
Supporting sources
376 U.S. 254 (1964)Remedies
…The manager of the Advertising Acceptability Department testified that he had approved the advertisement for publication because he knew nothing to cause him to believe that anything in it was false, and because it bore the endorsement of "a number of people who are well known and whose reputation" he "had no reason…
Criminal Law Constitutional ProtectionsConstitutional protections of accused persons · Arrest, search, and seizure [Fourth Amendment]NEXTGENFoundational