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

In Friday’s summary judgment decision, the court concluded that the writer’s copyright is invalid. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 9 Jan. 2026

The administrative law judge denied the request for summary judgment, which prompted Wassef to file a petition in Polk County District Court, seeking judicial review of that decision. —Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026

But Thompson issued a summary judgment on Wednesday, finding that the effort to revoke the legal status of tens of thousands of Hondurans, Nepalis and Nicaraguans was unlawful. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

The measure also allows judges to issue summary judgments in clear squatting cases and tightens notice requirements, directing landlords to deliver eviction notices in ways likely to ensure occupants actually receive them, such as direct delivery or posting notices in visible places. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 30 Dec. 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