The phrase "issue at law" refers to a legal matter that is under dispute. The pronunciation of this phrase is [ˈɪsjuː ət lɔː], with the stress on the first syllable of "issue" and the second syllable of "law". The "s" in "issue" is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound, while the final sound of "issue" is the long "u" sound. The "a" in "at" is pronounced as a schwa sound, and "law" ends with the "ɔː" vowel sound.
Issue at law refers to a legal question or dispute that arises during the course of a legal proceeding or trial. It pertains specifically to a question that can be resolved by application of relevant legal principles and precedents, typically determined by a judge rather than a jury.
In this context, an issue at law arises when the parties involved in a legal dispute disagree on the interpretation or application of legal rules, statutes, or regulations. For instance, it can emerge when one party argues that there has been a violation of a specific law or regulation, while the other party asserts compliance. The resolution of such issues requires a thorough examination of legal principles and precedents relevant to the matter, which can often include extensive legal research and analysis.
Moreover, an issue at law must be distinguished from a factual issue, which involves disputes over the occurrence of specific events or the credibility of witnesses. While factual issues are typically decided by a jury, issues at law are usually resolved by a judge as they pertain to matters of law, rather than matters of fact. The judge's decision on an issue at law sets a legal precedent, which helps guide future cases with similar legal questions.