usage of the term 'proof' as a noun

This claim for damages would result in a fruitless proof in the liquidation of the company.

Can someone please tell me what 'proof' means in the sentence I quoted as above?

The dictionary meaning of 'proof' as a noun is 'a fact or piece of information that shows that something exists or is true', however, I don't think it fits into the meaning of 'proof' in the upper sentence.

Thank you in advance.

The fuller context (from Google books) is that of international law.

Per the Free Legal Dictionary, proof is

The establishment of a fact by the use of evidence.

(link)

This definition (and other, similar ones in the same dictionary) seems to fit the context and is close to the definition you refer to.

This proof turns out to be fruitless. Not all establishments of facts at a trial are fruitful.

I don't think it's clear why or how this proof (establishment of fact) "result[ed] in a fruitless proof in the liquidation of the company." Maybe someone with keener reading ability of this legal text can help.

But the usage of proof seems to be that of the legal dictionary, which, again, is not far from what you cite.