What is a motion for judgment on the pleadings?

A motion for judgment on the pleadings is a way for a party in a civil lawsuit in Massachusetts to ask the court for a decision before the trial begins. The motion is a request that the court looks at the pleadings, or written statements, of the two parties and then makes a judgment based on those facts alone. In order to ask for a motion for judgment on the pleadings in Massachusetts, all the facts must be undisputed. For example, if one party admits to the facts presented in the other party’s pleadings, then the court can make a decision without any more evidence presented. The motion for judgment on the pleadings is important because it can save time and money for both parties. The motion can be used if one party thinks the other side’s pleadings are so bad that they cannot win the case even with a trial. In order to ask for a motion for judgment on the pleadings, the party must file papers with the court and serve the papers to their opponent. The papers must include the facts that the party wants the court to use to make their decision. The other party will then have a chance to respond. If the court decides to grant the motion for judgment on the pleadings, it will make a ruling on the facts provided without having to listen to any more testimony from the parties. The ruling will be final and binding on both parties.

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