What is a motion for summary judgment?

A motion for summary judgment is a legal procedure commonly used in civil court cases in Virginia. It is a request to the court to render a judgment in favor of one of the parties without the need for a full trial. In order to do this, the filing party must show that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The party filing the motion must provide evidence that no material fact is in dispute, such as affidavits or other documents. The opposing party has the opportunity to respond by submitting evidence to dispute the statements made in the motion. The court then evaluates the evidence and makes a decision whether or not to grant the motion. If granted, the court renders its judgment without the need for a trial. Summary judgment is an important part of the civil court process in Virginia. It can help to save time and money by eliminating the need for a full trial. It allows parties to receive a decision without having to present their case in a lengthy trial. However, it should only be used when there is no genuine issue of material fact.

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