Definition

Noun: A formal court ruling that ends a legal case or claim without proceeding to a full trial on its merits. This judgment terminates the lawsuit, meaning the plaintiff's claim is dismissed.

Usage

This term is used in legal contexts to describe the specific judicial order that concludes a case. It signifies that the court has determined, based on pleadings, motions, or other pre-trial submissions, that a trial is unnecessary or that the claim cannot legally proceed.

Examples

• The judge granted a judgment of dismissal after finding the plaintiff's complaint failed to state a valid legal claim.
• The defendant's motion for a judgment of dismissal was upheld by the court.
• The case ended not with a verdict, but with a judgment of dismissal.

Advanced Usage

• A judgment of dismissal with prejudice is a final ruling that prevents the plaintiff from filing the same claim again in the future.
• A judgment of dismissal without prejudice allows the plaintiff to potentially refile the claim at a later date, often after correcting the deficiencies that led to the dismissal.

Variants and Related Words

• Dismissal (n): The general act of dismissing a case.
• Motion to dismiss (n): A formal request filed by a party asking the court to issue a judgment of dismissal.

Synonyms

• Dismissal order
• Order of dismissal
• Judicial dismissal

Notes

This is a specific legal term of art. In common, non-legal language, one might simply refer to a case being "thrown out" or "dismissed."

Noun

1. a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial