What is a motion for judgment on the pleadings?
A motion for judgment on the pleadings is a document filed with the court by one of the parties involved in a lawsuit. The party filing the motion is asking the court to make a judgment on the case without any trial or hearing. This type of motion is typically filed after both parties have filed their pleadings. In Arizona, the party filing a motion for judgment on the pleadings must show that the facts in the pleadings do not support the claims of the opposing party. The motion states the facts supporting the claim that there is no dispute between the parties. If the court agrees, it will then enter a “judgment on the pleadings,” which essentially ends the case and is a final decision on the matter. This motion is very helpful in civil litigation because it allows parties to avoid expensive and lengthy trials. In Arizona, any party to a lawsuit may file a motion for judgment on the pleadings, but typically only one is necessary. If both parties file a motion, the court will review both arguments and choose the one it considers to be the stronger one. The court may, however, also deny the motion and allow the case to go to trial, or it may require additional pleadings to be filed. In any case, a motion for judgment on the pleadings should only be filed when the opposing party’s pleadings do not support their claims. If the motion is granted, the case will be closed and a judgment will be issued.
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