Asks the court to decide claims or defenses from the pleadings alone after the complaint and answer are closed.
A request asking the court to enter judgment based only on the pleadings after the complaint and answer are closed. It works like a motion to dismiss in many cases, but it arrives after the pleadings show the parties legal positions on both sides.
Filed when the moving party believes the pleadings themselves show there is no legally viable claim or defense. It is common when a pure legal issue can be resolved before discovery becomes expensive.
The opposing party argues that the pleadings state a viable claim or defense, that factual disputes remain, or that the motion improperly relies on evidence outside the pleadings. If outside material is considered, the court may convert the motion to summary judgment.
Granted, denied, or granted in part. A granted motion can end claims, defenses, or the whole case. A denial usually sends the case into discovery or later dispositive motion practice.