matter of law

American

noun

Law.

an issue or matter to be determined according to the relevant principles of law.

matter of law British

noun

law an issue requiring the court's interpretation of the law or relevant principles of the law Compare matter of fact

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

US District Judge Margaret Garnett ruled last week that the charges did not meet "the federal statutory definition of a 'crime of violence' as matter of law".

From BBC

“These violations are now established as a matter of law,” Young wrote in his 4-page decision.

From Los Angeles Times

In her ruling, Judge Garnett said two of the four federal charges did not "meet the federal statutory definition of a 'crime of violence' as matter of law".

From BBC

They need to be addressed as a matter of law and because failure to comply with terms of the treaty undermines growth across the continent.

From The Wall Street Journal

In March, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a bulletin advising insurers that the Supreme Court decision does not state “smoke damage is never covered as a matter of law.”

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023