![]() Overview: In civil cases, either party can request a pre-trial motion for summary judgment. It is entered for one party and against another party. ![]() The pleading procedures are extremely technical and complicated, and are particularly dangerous to the party against whom the motion is made.Definition: Summary judgment is a legal decision made by a court without a full trial. The theory behind the summary judgment process is cut down on unnecessary litigation by eliminating without trial one or more causes of action in the complaint. The opposing party will respond by counter-declarations and legal arguments attempting to show that there are "triable issues of fact." If it is unclear whether there is a triable issue of fact in any cause of action, then summary judgment must be denied as to that cause of action. The motion is supported by declarations under oath, excerpts from depositions which are under oath, admissions of fact, and other discovery, as well as a legal argument (points and authorities), that argue that there are no triable issues of fact and that the settled facts require a summary judgment for the moving party. A summary judgment is based upon a motion by one of the parties that contends that all necessary factual issues are settled, and therefore need not be tried. a court order ruling that no factual issues remain to be tried and therefore a cause of action or all causes of action in a complaint can be decided upon certain facts without trial. West's Encyclopedia of American Law, edition 2. Once the movant has met the initial burden of showing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact, the burden shifts to the opposing party to introduce evidence to contradict the movant's allegations. On the other hand, other jurisdictions, including federal courts, do not permit a party opposing summary judgment to rest on the pleadings alone. This approach rarely results in a court's granting summary judgment. In some states it is sufficient if the party opposing the motion merely calls the court's attention to inconsistencies in the pleadings and the movant's evidence without introducing further evidence. Federal rule of civil procedure 56 governs the applicability of summary judgment in federal proceedings, and each state has its own rules. ![]() Jurisdictions vary in their requirements for opposing a summary judgment motion. Where the opposing party will bear the burden of proof at trial, the moving party may obtain summary judgment by showing that the opposing party has no evidence or that its evidence is insufficient to meet its burden at trial. The court generally examines the evidence presented with the motion in the light most favorable to the opposing party. The moving party has the initial burden to show that summary judgment is proper even if the moving party would not have the Burden of Proof at trial. Rather, it is used when no factual questions exist for a judge or jury to decide. Summary judgment does not mean that a judge decides which side would prevail at trial, nor does a judge determine the credibility of witnesses. Finally, the law as applied to the undisputed facts of the case must mandate judgment for the moving party. Moreover, the facts in dispute must be central to the case irrelevant or minor factual disputes will not defeat a motion for summary judgment. Usually a party opposing summary judgment must introduce evidence that contradicts the moving party's version of the facts. A genuine issue implies that certain facts are disputed. Two criteria must be met before summary judgment may be properly granted: (1) there must be no genuine issues of material fact, and (2) the Movant must be entitled to judgment as a matter of law. A trial would still be necessary to determine the amount of damages. For example, a court might grant partial summary judgment in a personal injury case on the issue of liability. It may also simplify a trial, as when partial summary judgment dispenses with certain issues or claims. The purpose of summary judgment is to avoid unnecessary trials. ![]() Usually a court will hold oral arguments on a summary judgment motion, although it may decide the motion on the parties' briefs and supporting documentation alone. Any evidence that would be admissible at trial under the rules of evidence may support a motion for summary judgment. Unlike with pretrial motions to dismiss, information such as affidavits, interrogatories, depositions, and admissions may be considered on a motion for summary judgment. A judge may also determine on her own initiative that summary judgment is appropriate. ![]() It is used when there is no dispute as to the material facts of the case and a party is entitled to judgment as a Matter of Law.Īny party may move for summary judgment it is not uncommon for both parties to seek it. A procedural device used during civil litigation to promptly and expeditiously dispose of a case without a trial. ![]()
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