A disputable presumption, also known as a rebuttable presumption, is a legal assumption that can be challenged and overturned by evidence to the contrary. In legal contexts, it refers to an inference or assumption that is accepted as true until disproven.
For example, in many jurisdictions, there is a disputable presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty. This means that while the legal system starts with the assumption of innocence, that presumption can be challenged and overturned by evidence presented during a trial.
Disputable presumptions are contrasted with irrebuttable presumptions, which cannot be contested or disproven. Disputable presumptions play a critical role in the justice system by allowing for a fair examination of evidence and arguments presented by both sides in a legal proceeding.