Definition

Noun: A legal ruling made by a court before a full trial takes place. This occurs when there is no genuine dispute about the key facts of the case, and based on the law, one party is clearly entitled to win.

Usage

This term is used in legal contexts to describe a procedural mechanism that can resolve a lawsuit efficiently without needing a trial. - It is typically requested by one party, arguing that the essential facts are not in dispute and the law favors their position. - The court reviews the evidence and legal arguments to decide if a trial is necessary.

Examples

• The defendant filed a motion for summary judgment, claiming the plaintiff's claim was barred by the statute of limitations.
• The judge granted summary judgment in favor of the employer, finding no evidence of discrimination.
• The case was dismissed on summary judgment because the contract clearly supported the defendant's actions.

Advanced Usage

• Partial Summary Judgment: A court may grant summary judgment on one specific claim or issue within a larger case, while allowing other claims to proceed to trial.
  • The court issued a partial summary judgment on the breach of contract claim, but the fraud allegation will go before a jury.

Variants and Related Words

• Summary Adjudication: A similar procedural device, often used interchangeably in some jurisdictions, where the court decides specific issues rather than the entire case.
• Judgment as a Matter of Law (JMOL) / Directed Verdict: A related concept that occurs during or after a trial when a judge decides no reasonable jury could find for the other side.

Synonyms

• Judgment on the pleadings: A judgment based solely on the allegations in the legal documents, before evidence is considered.
• Dispositive motion: A broad term for any motion that can resolve a case entirely (e.g., motion to dismiss, motion for summary judgment).

Related Phrases

• To move for summary judgment: The formal act of asking the court for a summary judgment ruling.
  • The defense attorney moved for summary judgment after the discovery phase.
• To survive summary judgment: When a party's claim or defense is sufficient to defeat the other party's motion, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
  • The plaintiff's evidence was just strong enough to survive summary judgment.

Noun

1. a judgment rendered by the court prior to a verdict because no material issue of fact exists and one party or the other is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law