Motion For Summary Judgment

Decision on motions for summary judgment: About 15 months after beginning of representation. The judge will make a decision on summary judgment about three months after s/he hears arguments from both sides.

Generally, you should move all at once. However, you can move to dismiss various affirmative defenses, causes of action and/or counterclaims early on but there's a high chance of being denied as premature.

If the motion is granted, the judgment on the issue or case is deemed to be a final judgment from which a party may seek an appeal. The court of appeal can reverse the grant of summary judgment and reinstate the claim in the lower court. However, this is rarely done and most summary judgments are upheld on appeal.

A response must be in writing and include the same supporting documents as a motion for summary judgment. The opposition to the motion for summary judgment should also include a statement of facts showing the dispute and supporting documents.

Under the Federal Rules, a summary judgment motion can be made at any time until 30 days after close of fact discovery. However, judges are also required to issue scheduling orders that set deadlines for the filing of motions. The trial court may refuse to hear a motion for summary judgment filed after the deadline.

The new rule allows a party to move for summary judgment at any time, even as early as the commencement of the action. If the motion seems premature both subdivision (c)(1) and Rule 6(b) allow the court to extend the time to respond. The rule does set a presumptive deadline at 30 days after the close of all discovery.

Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs summary judgment for federal courts. Under Rule 56, in order to succeed in a motion for summary judgment, a movant must show 1) that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, and 2) that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

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.

A motion for summary judgment is a request made by a party asking the court to decide all or part of a lawsuit without going to trial because there's no dispute about the key facts of the case. The party making the motion (called the movant) can be the plaintiff or the defendant.