Prima Facie Script
The Prima Facie script, written by Australian-British playwright and former human rights lawyer Suzie Miller, is an award-winning one-woman play that critiques the legal system's failure to handle sexual assault cases effectively. Plot Overview
The play follows Tessa, a brilliant and ambitious criminal defense barrister who has risen from a working-class background to the top of her profession.
Since you didn't specify the exact nature of your "prima facie script" (e.g., is it for legal analysis, ethical philosophy, or a specific software tool?), I have developed a feature for the most common use case: Legal Analysis and Brief Writing.
Here is a concept for a high-utility feature called the "Element Gap Analyzer."
Part 1: What is a "Prima Facie Script"? (Defining the Term)
To understand the prima facie script, we must first separate the two words.
- Prima Facie: The burden of proof required to establish a fact or a case unless disproven.
- Script: A predetermined sequence of arguments or evidence.
When combined, a prima facie script refers to the checklist of elements a party must recite or present to shift the burden of proof to the other side. Think of it as the "opening argument skeleton."
The "One-Woman" Device
A critical element of
The story of the award-winning play and novel Prima Facie , written by Suzie Miller, follows the dramatic transformation of Tessa Ensler, a brilliant and ambitious young defense barrister. The Professional Game
Tessa is a "thoroughbred" from a working-class background who has fought her way to the top of the London legal scene. She specializes in defending men accused of sexual assault, viewing the law as a high-stakes game where the only thing that matters is the "legal truth"—not what actually happened, but what can be proven in court. She is ruthless and efficient, famously skilled at cross-examining victims and dismantling their testimonies to create "reasonable doubt." The Turning Point
Tessa's world is shattered when she is sexually assaulted by a colleague from her own chambers. For the first time, she finds herself on the other side of the legal system—not as the architect of the defense, but as the witness for the prosecution.
As the case moves to trial, Tessa realizes that the very legal system she once mastered is designed to work against victims of sexual violence. She must navigate:
The Burden of Proof: She faces the same grueling cross-examination techniques she once used on others.
The "Legal Truth" vs. Reality: She sees how the law requires victims to provide perfectly consistent, "crystal-clear" evidence that often contradicts how the human brain actually processes trauma. prima facie script
Systemic Bias: She begins to understand that the patriarchal structure of the law often protects the accused at the expense of justice for the victim. The Conclusion
The story concludes with Tessa standing in the witness box, delivering a powerful indictment of a system that fails one in three women. While the legal verdict remains uncertain, Tessa’s personal victory lies in her refusal to be silenced, ultimately choosing to speak her truth even when the system is rigged against her.
The play was originally performed by Jodie Comer in a critically acclaimed run in London and on Broadway. Suzie Miller has since written a thematic sequel titled Inter Alia, starring Rosamund Pike, which explores these legal themes from the perspective of a female judge.
TITLE: Prima Facie – More Than Just Latin
INTRO (0:00–0:45)
Visual: Gavel, law books, then split screen – a judge looking skeptical / a lawyer presenting one key fact.
Host/Narrator:
“Imagine you’re in court. The plaintiff rests. The defendant’s lawyer stands up and says: ‘Your Honor, they haven’t even made a prima facie case.’
Sounds fancy. But here’s what they really mean: ‘They haven’t given us enough yet to take this seriously.’
Today, we’re breaking down prima facie – Latin for ‘at first sight.’ Not just a fancy phrase – it’s the legal gatekeeper that decides if your case lives or dies before it even begins.”
SECTION 1: The Core Definition (0:45–2:00)
Visual: Animated scale tipping slightly – just enough to move.
Narrator:
“Prima facie means: on its face, enough evidence to support a case – if you believe every fact the presenting party says.
It’s the legal equivalent of: ‘Okay, you’ve shown enough that a jury could rule for you. Now the other side has to respond.’
Key point: It’s not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. It’s not ‘winning.’ It’s passing the first test.”
On-screen text:
Prima Facie = Sufficient on its face → shifts the burden of proof. The Prima Facie script , written by Australian-British
SECTION 2: Where It Shows Up in Real Law (2:00–4:00)
Visual: Three labeled boxes: Civil Case / Criminal Case / Employment Law.
Narrator:
-
Civil case (e.g., breach of contract)
Plaintiff must show:- There was a contract
- They performed their part
- Defendant didn’t
- They suffered damages
→ That’s prima facie contract claim. If missing one? Case dismissed.
-
Criminal case – at preliminary hearing
Prosecutor must show prima facie that:- A crime occurred
- It’s likely the defendant did it
→ If not, judge drops charges. No trial.
-
Employment discrimination (McDonnell Douglas test)
Employee shows:- They’re in protected class
- Qualified for job
- Adverse action happened
- Someone similar outside class was treated better
→ That shifts burden to employer to give a non-discriminatory reason.
SECTION 3: Common Misunderstandings (4:00–5:15)
Visual: Red “X” over wrong ideas, checkmark over correct ones.
Narrator:
❌ “Prima facie means I’ve won.”
✅ No – it just means the case survives dismissal. The other side can still demolish your evidence later.
❌ “It’s the same as ‘beyond reasonable doubt.’”
✅ No – reasonable doubt is for criminal conviction. Prima facie is the low bar at the start.
❌ “Judges never dismiss for lack of prima facie case.”
✅ Actually happens all the time – saves courts from wasting time on legally insufficient claims. Prima Facie: The burden of proof required to
SECTION 4: Real-Life Analogy (5:15–6:00)
Visual: Person knocking on a locked door.
Narrator:
“Think of prima facie as knocking on a courtroom door.
You knock. Judge says: ‘Show me you have a reason to enter.’
You show the key facts. Judge says: ‘Okay – come in. Now the other person has to respond.’
If you can’t even show that first key? The door stays locked. No hearing. No trial. No jury.”
SECTION 5: Why It Matters for You (6:00–7:00)
Visual: Law student, new lawyer, business owner icons.
Narrator:
- For law students: It’s on every torts, contracts, and crim pro exam. Know the elements.
- For lawyers: Never file a complaint without checking – do my alleged facts make out every element on their face?
- For business owners: If sued, ask your lawyer – ‘Have they even made a prima facie case?’ Sometimes the answer is no → move to dismiss.
OUTRO (7:00–7:30)
Narrator:
“Prima facie – first sight, not final verdict. It’s the legal world’s way of saying: Show me enough to keep talking.
Next time you hear that phrase, you’ll know: the burden just shifted.”
On-screen:
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Question for comments: Can you think of a situation where someone made a ‘prima facie’ case but still lost?
