The title page contains only the title, writer's name, and clean contact information. Every page has a healthy balance of text and white space. No action paragraph exceeds four lines of text. The first three pages contain a definitive visual hook.
In both civil and criminal law, a plaintiff (in a civil case) or the state (in a criminal case) must present enough evidence to support each element of their claim. When they have done so—presenting a case that is sufficient on its face to warrant a verdict in their favor—they have established a prima facie case.
The script takes a dramatic turn when Tessa is raped by a colleague. Forced to navigate the same adversarial system she once mastered, she finds that the rules of evidence and the "burden of proof" do not accommodate the lived experience of survivors. Themes and Impact
A central thesis of the script is that the legal system was constructed by men, for men, hundreds of years ago. The script highlights how legal definitions of "consent" and "reasonable doubt" fail to account for the biological and psychological realities of trauma. The script exposes how the law expects victims to react with perfect, linear logic during and after an assault—an expectation that contradicts modern neuroscience regarding the brain's fight-flight-or-freeze response. Class and Belonging
For each legal element, write a specific fact that will prove it. prima facie script
The second half mirrors the first, but with Tessa in the witness box. The very legal mechanisms she praised in Act I—the grueling cross-examinations, the weaponization of memory gaps, the strict rules of evidence—are turned against her.
The script then becomes a devastating deconstruction of that initial "justice" she championed. Tessa, now the victim, must navigate the same brutal legal machinery she once manipulated. She knows the system's biases intimately, and she is forced to confront the fact that a prima facie standard, designed to filter out weak claims, is often an insurmountable barrier for those whose trauma has fragmented their memory or testimony. The very tool that made her a star now threatens to erase her.
Beyond its artistic achievements, the play has become a catalyst for social change. Miller has held special performances for women in the law and for law reform commissions, sparking crucial conversations about the treatment of sexual assault victims within the legal system. These discussions highlight the need for change in legal systems, demonstrating how art can drive social progress.
[Phase 1: The Apex Predictor] ──> [Phase 2: The Inciting Incident] ──> [Phase 3: The Metamorphosis] ──> [Phase 4: The Climax] (Tessa dominates the court) (The assault occurs) (Tessa becomes the victim) (The final cross-examination) Phase 1: The Apex Predator The title page contains only the title, writer's
If your script fails any of these tests, it is not yet a prima facie script. It requires further revision, clarification, or structural re-engineering.
Writers for shows like Suits , The Good Wife , and Better Call Saul use a literal prima facie script to ensure legal realism. When Harvey Specter says, "You don't have a case," he is performing a prima facie analysis.
Amateur action lines describe everything in a room. Professional action lines describe only what the audience can see and hear, focusing heavily on momentum.
As we move into the age of artificial intelligence, the prima facie script is evolving. Legal tech companies are now training GPT-4 based models to generate prima facie scripts for document review. The first three pages contain a definitive visual hook
A compelling legal drama relies on a disruption of the status quo. The script establishes this by splitting the narrative into two distinct halves, using a traumatic event to shatter the protagonist's world.
Do not write a paragraph of backstory when introducing a character. Give their name, age, and one defining physical trait or action that shows their personality. Final Checklist for a Prima Facie Script
This article explores the Prima Facie script as a masterclass in this principle. We will dissect its structure, themes, and unique writing style, demonstrating how Suzie Miller's award-winning play—now being adapted into a major film starring Cynthia Erivo—provides an essential blueprint for crafting unignorable drama. By the end, you will understand the dramatic elements required to make your own script a truly prima facie work.