What is a motion for summary judgment?

A motion for summary judgment is a legal request from a party involved in a civil lawsuit in Massachusetts. It happens when one or both parties involved in the lawsuit believe that the facts of the case are undisputed and that no trial is necessary to resolve the dispute between them. The motion is made at an early stage of the lawsuit, and if it is granted, it allows the court to enter a judgment without a trial. In this situation, the party who makes the motion is asking the court to rule in their favor without needing to present evidence to the court. The party must convince the court that the facts of the case are undisputed and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. To do this, they must provide the court with affidavits, testimony, documents, and other evidence in support of their position. If the court finds that there is no genuine dispute of material fact, then the court can grant the motion. Motions for summary judgment are a common way to resolve civil disputes quickly and efficiently. It is important to remember, however, that the parties must provide solid evidence to the court in support of their motion. If the evidence is not convincing, then the court may deny the motion, which means the case will continue and proceed to trial.

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