Definition
A judge's decision to resolve a case without going to trial because there are no genuine disputes about the material facts. It's the legal equivalent of calling a game due to rain when one team is up 50-0.
Example Usage
We're confident the judge will grant summary judgment since the defendant has literally zero evidence to support their counterclaim.
Origin
From common law procedure, codified in Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 56
Fun Fact
Summary judgment motions can save months or years of litigation, which is why lawyers file them eagerly and judges grant them reluctantly.
Source: Common civil litigation terminology
Related Terms
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