Summary Judgment in the United States

Decision rendered by a court on a matter before it goes to a jury. A summary judgment is a decision on the merits of a case. A summary judgment is requested on motion by either party to a suit. The motion asserts that there is no substantial fact dispute, but rather only a dispute in law. The law questions are then placed before the court for decision instead of taking the matter to a jury.

Analysis and Relevance

A summary judgment is a technique intended to obtain prompt resolution in a legal action. If the Pleadings (U.S.) and other supporting materials reveal no bona fide fact question, the court may enter a summary judgment, which will finalize the case. For example, a summary judgment might be used in a suit involving an insurance claim. Both parties may agree as to what happened, but differ on whether the policy covers the situation. The case rests entirely on the scope of the insurance contract, a purely legal question. A judge can review the contract and decide whether the contract covers the fact situation. Use of motions for summary judgments are confined to civil matters.

Notes and References

Definition of Summary Judgment from the American Law Dictionary, 1991, California

Practical Information

Note: Some of this information was last updated in 1982

An award of victory granted by the court (in U.S. law) to one of the parties without waiting for trial. Motion (in U.S. law) for summary judgment must be supported by affidavit (in U.S. law), a copy of the pleadings (in U.S. law), and other available proof to show that there is no issue of fact worthy of trial. The motion for summary judgment will be denied if any party has presented issues that require a trial for settlement. The power to resolve summarily a lawsuit without the expense and trouble of a trial makes summary judgment one of the most practical and useful tools in modern procedure.

(Revised by Ann De Vries)

What is Summary Judgment?

For a meaning of it, read Summary Judgment in the Legal Dictionary here. Browse and search more U.S. and international free legal definitions and legal terms related to Summary Judgment.

Summary Judgment in State Statute Topics

Introduction to Summary Judgment (State statute topic)

The purpose of Summary Judgment is to provide a broad appreciation of the Summary Judgment legal topic. Select from the list of U.S. legal topics for information (other than Summary Judgment).

Summary Judgment Practice

This section examines the Summary Judgment Practice subject in its related phase of trial. In some cases, other key elements related to trials, such as personal injury, business, and criminal litigation, are also addressed.

Dismissal for Failure to State a Claim Compared to Summary Judgment

There is some information in the United States Procedure Law section of this American Legal Encyclopedia about Dismissal for Failure to State a Claim Compared to Summary Judgment. For a wide overview, read about Steps in the Litigation Process

Meaning of Summary Judgment

In plain or simple terms, Summary Judgment means: When the judge figures there’s no need to go to trial, and decides the case.

Summary Judgment Explained

References

Summary Judgment (Civil Infringement Actions)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of summary judgment. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Civil Infringement Actions is provided. Finally, the subject of Trademark Protection in relation with summary judgment is examined. Note that a list of cross references, bibliography and other resources appears at the end of this entry.

Summary Judgment (Civil Procedure)

This section introduces, discusses and describes the basics of summary judgment. Then, cross references and a brief overview about Civil Procedurein relation to summary judgment is provided. Note that a list of bibliography resources and other aids appears at the end of this entry.

Resources

Summary Judgment Definition in the context of the Federal Court System

A decision made on the basis of statements and evidence presented for the record without a trial. It is used when it is not necessary to resolve any factual disputes in the case. Summary judgment is granted when—on the undisputed facts in the record—one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Summary Judgment