summary judgment
noun
: judgment that may be granted upon a party's motion when the pleadings, discovery, and any affidavits show that there is no issue of material fact and that the party is entitled to judgment in its favor as a matter of law
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Karen Dunn, a lawyer for nine of the plaintiff families, urged the court to deny Washington Hebrew Congregation’s motion for summary judgment. 
Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 The judge in the case denied Indivior’s request for summary judgment, meaning the lawsuit can move forward. John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 In granting the organizations’ motions for summary judgment, senior U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman determined that the allegedly defamatory claims about Sandmann were expressions of opinion protected under First Amendment doctrine. Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 In its motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, Monsanto argued that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempted Hardeman’s state-law claims. Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Rakoff denied a later motion for summary judgment on related grounds. Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2022 The appellate court also reversed the district court’s summary judgment on a state outrage claim, saying that the search was invasive enough that a district judge should further consider the case. Ruth Serven Smith | Rserven@al.com, al, 7 Feb. 2022 But an appeals court reversed this ruling, while Swift sought a summary judgment to end the case. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 10 Dec. 2021 The Supreme Court of New York Appellate Division denies summary judgment for several of Greenberg’s defamation charges against Spitzer. Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 18 Apr. 2021 See More
Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2022 The judge in the case denied Indivior’s request for summary judgment, meaning the lawsuit can move forward. John Keilman, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 In granting the organizations’ motions for summary judgment, senior U.S. District Judge William O. Bertelsman determined that the allegedly defamatory claims about Sandmann were expressions of opinion protected under First Amendment doctrine. Erik Wemple, Washington Post, 28 July 2022 In its motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, Monsanto argued that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempted Hardeman’s state-law claims. Glenn G. Lammi, Forbes, 1 June 2022 Rakoff denied a later motion for summary judgment on related grounds. Ashley Cullins, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2022 The appellate court also reversed the district court’s summary judgment on a state outrage claim, saying that the search was invasive enough that a district judge should further consider the case. Ruth Serven Smith | Rserven@al.com, al, 7 Feb. 2022 But an appeals court reversed this ruling, while Swift sought a summary judgment to end the case. Brendan Morrow, The Week, 10 Dec. 2021 The Supreme Court of New York Appellate Division denies summary judgment for several of Greenberg’s defamation charges against Spitzer. Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 18 Apr. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1798, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
summary judgment
see judgment sense 1a