What does "Prima Facie" mean in legal terms?

"Prima Facie" is a Latin term that translates to "at first glance" or "on its face." In legal contexts, it refers to evidence that is sufficient to establish a fact or raise a presumption unless disproved or rebutted by contrary evidence. The essence of prima facie evidence is that it is convincing enough to warrant a legal assumption in favor of a conclusion based on the initial evidence presented.

The correct choice emphasizes that prima facie evidence is valid based solely on its appearance or initial presentation, without needing further examination or deeper investigation at that moment. This aligns with its definition of being recognized as adequate evidence until challenged or contradicted.

In contrast, the other options suggest concepts that do not accurately capture the meaning of prima facie. For instance, evidence requiring further investigation refers to situations where the initial information is not sufficient to conclude a legal point and needs additional support. Circumstantial evidence does not align with the direct and sufficient nature of prima facie, and evidence deemed not admissible does not fit within the criteria of prima facie, which must be accepted unless specifically invalidated.