Summary judgment is a pre-trial motion asking the court to find in favor of one party. A court can also grant partial summary judgment on one or more claims and allow the remaining claims to proceed to trial. Parties in federal court bring summary judgment motions pursuant to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Courts will grant summary judgment if the law and material facts of the case obviate the need for a jury because there is no dispute that the party should prevail. Summary judgment is similar to judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50.
« Back to Glossary Index
