Court Reporter Practice Exam

What is a motion for summary judgment used for?

1. To expedite the trial process

2. To require production of documents

3. To determine if there are any real issues of fact

4. To dismiss a case entirely

The correct answer is: To determine if there are any real issues of fact

A motion for summary judgment is a legal request made to the court, aiming to obtain a judgment on the merits of a case without proceeding to a full trial. It is utilized primarily to determine whether there are any genuine disputes regarding material facts that require examination by a jury or judge. When the party filing the motion can demonstrate that there are no significant factual disagreements and that the law clearly supports their position, the court may grant the motion, resolving the issues without a lengthy trial process. This helps streamline legal proceedings, ensuring that cases with no factual disputes are settled efficiently, reducing unnecessary costs and court time. Therefore, focusing on the absence of real issues of fact is the essence of what a motion for summary judgment seeks to address, confirming the correct choice. The other options, while related to legal procedures, do not accurately capture the primary purpose of a motion for summary judgment. For instance, expediting the trial process involves broader procedural strategies, requiring production of documents relates more to discovery processes, and dismissing a case completely pertains more to motions to dismiss rather than to summary judgment.