What does "legal fiction" refer to?

"Legal fiction" refers to an assumption made by the law that is accepted as true, even though it may not reflect reality. This concept plays a significant role in legal proceedings, allowing the law to operate under certain assumptions that facilitate the legal process. For example, when a court presumes that a person is acting in good faith until proven otherwise, this assumption aids in the smooth functioning of justice. Legal fictions help uphold legal principles and ensure that cases can be managed effectively, even in situations where traditional fact-based evidence is lacking.

The other choices distract from this fundamental concept. Misleading legal statements, fabrications in legal documents, and old laws no longer in effect address different legal issues, such as potential deceit, document integrity, and legislative relevance, respectively, but do not encompass the nature or function of a legal fiction.