Summary Judgment

Definition

Summary judgment is a judgment awarded on the basis of affidavits and legal briefing rather than on the basis of evidence introduced at a trial.

Purpose

The purpose of summary judgment is to resolve legal disputes without the need for a full trial, typically used when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

Examples of Use

• In civil litigation, a party may file for summary judgment to expedite the resolution of a case without a trial.
• Contract disputes may be resolved through summary judgment if the facts are undisputed and only legal questions remain.
• Summary judgment is often used in employment law cases to determine liability based on undisputed facts.

Related Terms

• Affidavit: A written statement made under oath, used as evidence in court.
• Motion: A formal request made to a court for an order or judgment.
• Trial: A formal examination of evidence in court to determine the outcome of a legal dispute.

Notes

Summary judgment can save time and resources by avoiding a lengthy trial, but it requires a clear demonstration that there are no disputed facts warranting further examination.