What is the purpose of a Motion for Summary Judgment?

• A. To delay trial by creating disputes about material facts.
• B. To require a jury trial on all issues.
• C. To vacate a judgment after trial.
• D. To show before trial that there is no genuine issue of material fact and grant judgment as a matter of law; may move for SJ on any claim or defense.

Answer: (D)

Summary judgment is a pretrial mechanism used when there is no genuine dispute about material facts. If a party can show that, based on the evidence already gathered, there is no real factual issue for a jury to resolve and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the court can enter judgment without a trial. This tool can be used on any claim or defense, and the motion is supported by evidence such as affidavits, depositions, and documents viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party.

The key idea is that when the record establishes only one reasonable outcome under the law, a trial isn’t necessary. If there are genuine factual questions that a reasonable jury could resolve differently, the motion should be denied and the case moves forward to trial. Summary judgment thus helps avoid the time and expense of a full trial when the facts are not in dispute and the law clearly favors one side.