What You Need in Your Motion for Summary Judgement Title and Introduction. Clearly state the document's purpose and include the case caption. Statement of Facts. Provide a clear, detailed statement of the undisputed facts. Standard of Review. Explain the legal standard for granting summary judgment. Argument. Conclusion.
If a defendant refuses to produce documents or witnesses for depositions, you can oppose the summary-judgment motion by submitting your declaration and showing that facts essential to justify your opposition may exist but cannot for reasons stated be presented to the court.
Summary judgment motions do have a timeline for filing and response. First, a summary judgment motion must be on file at least 21 days before it can be heard. (TRCP 166a) Second, any opposing affidavits or written response should be on file no later than 7 days before the hearing.
Third, if you are opposing a summary judgment because there are disputed fact questions, then list those disputed facts. One of the most effective responses to a motion for summary judgment simply had a bullet point list of the five disputed fact questions in the case.
If a motion for summary judgment is filed before a responsive pleading is due from a party affected by the motion, the time for responding to the motion is 21 days after the responsive pleading is due.
A “motion to dismiss” is typically filed in response to a complaint and is made in lieu of filing an “answer.” Technically, a plaintiff can move to “strike” a defense that a defendant has pled, given that defenses are subject to the same pleading requirements as are the plaintiff's claims.
When opposing a properly supported motion for summary judgment, a party must respond with specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is not entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
The reason for the move for summary judgment must be included in the motion unless granted leave of the court; the motion and any supporting affidavits must be filed and served at least 21 days before the hearing date, with notice to opposing counsel.
To oppose a motion for summary judgment, you must present evidence and arguments demonstrating that there are genuine disputes of material fact that require a trial to resolve. Consult with an attorney for the best strategy to oppose a summary judgment motion.
It is much more difficult for plaintiffs to win this type of summary judgment. Rather than knocking out a single element to doom a cause of action, like a defendant, every element of each claim as to which the plaintiff wishes to achieve summary judgment must be proven by admissible evidence.