Summary Judgment: What standard triggers?

• A. No genuine issues of material fact exist and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law
• B. The case must go to trial if there is any dispute
• C. The case must be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction
• D. The matter is subject to arbitration

Answer: (A)

The standard for summary judgment is that there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. “Genuine issues of material fact” means disputes about facts that could affect the outcome of the case on the elements of the claim or defense. If the evidence leaves a reasonable jury with nothing to decide on those essential facts, there’s no need for a trial. The court doesn’t weigh credibility like a jury; it views the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and asks whether a reasonable juror could return a verdict for that party.

The moving party bears the initial burden to show there is no genuine issue. If that burden is met, the burden shifts to the other side to point to specific evidence creating a triable factual dispute. If no such evidence exists, the court grants judgment as a matter of law, and the case or the particular issue is resolved without a trial.

This is different from agreements to go to trial due to any dispute, or dismissals for lack of jurisdiction, or arbitration, which are separate concepts and not the triggers for summary judgment.