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

Examples of summary judgment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Friday, Jayaram also denied the parties’ dueling motions for summary judgment, saying there are genuine issues of material fact that must be settled at trial. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025

Jenner & Block, another firm targeted, argued in court Monday for summary judgment, as well. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2025

The filing also expresses the plaintiffs’ intent to appeal a court order in January denying a request for discovery in response to a motion for summary judgment asserting qualified immunity for jailer Phylicia Hollie. —Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Apr. 2025

In his summary judgment rulings, Davis also rejected Newsmax’s arguments that it was protected by the fair report privilege and that the statements are non-actionable opinions. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for summary judgment

• judgement
• misjudgment
• prejudgment

Legal Definition

summary judgment

see judgment sense 1a