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  1. #1
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    Default What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

    My question involves court procedures for the state of: IL

    Are there benefits to presenting a Motion for Summary Judgment? As I (non-lawyer) understand. Side Presenting the Motion for Summary Judgment is say here's the facts, there isn't any real "matter of fact" disagreement, lets not waste time going to a full blown trial. Side presenting the Motion lays out the case & facts in a written way very detailed.

    The opposing side will have a motion to Dismiss because they think there are factual differences and try to convence the judge.

    If The Motion for Summary Judgment fails - the case goes to a full blown trial (with discovery, dipositions, etc.) is this correct?? Is the party submitting the Motion For Summary Judgment pentalized by the court (judge) if it fails?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

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    My question involves court procedures for the state of: IL

    Are there benefits to presenting a Motion for Summary Judgment?
    Certainly. If the motion is granted, it resolves those issues in the case (and may resolve the entire case) eliminating the need to have a trial on those issues.

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    As I (non-lawyer) understand. Side Presenting the Motion for Summary Judgment is say here's the facts, there isn't any real "matter of fact" disagreement, lets not waste time going to a full blown trial. Side presenting the Motion lays out the case & facts in a written way very detailed.

    The opposing side will have a motion to Dismiss because they think there are factual differences and try to convence the judge.
    The other party will not do a motion to dismiss the motion for summary judgement. The other party will either (1) agree that there are no material facts in dispute but make a cross motion for summary judgment arguing that the law favors him rather than the other side or (2) oppose the summary judgment and ask the judge to deny it, asserting that one or more material facts are in dispute and thus a trial is needed to resolve the dispute on those facts.

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    If The Motion for Summary Judgment fails - the case goes to a full blown trial (with discovery, dipositions, etc.) is this correct??
    Yes, unless the parties settle it before trial, of course.

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    Is the party submitting the Motion For Summary Judgment pentalized by the court (judge) if it fails?
    Not usually. Only if the motion is clearly frivolous or otherwise violates the rules would the party seeking summary judgment face some kind of sanction by the judge. Motions for summary judgement are very, very common.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

    If I may add (as a non-attorney opinion), motions for summary judgment reduce the subjectivity inherent to jury trials. I've seen one instance where a member of the jury read the case at the last minute, which is almost like deciding a case by flipping a coin.

    My perspective is that without a jury it is generally easier to narrow down if/when the judge abused his/her discretion, which is important for appeals purposes.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

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    My perspective is that without a jury it is generally easier to narrow down if/when the judge abused his/her discretion, which is important for appeals purposes.
    The jury serves the function of resolving disputed facts in the case. If the case were tried to a judge without a jury, then the judge serves as the fact finder in the case. Either way, appeals courts generally do not review the factual determinations made by the jury or the judge as the case may be. The appeals court reviews the case for legal or procedural errors made by the judge. As an aside, most such errors are subject to a de novo standard of review (which means the appeals court does not give any particular weight to the trial court’s decision and the appeals court makes its own determination fresh determination on the matter), not abuse of discretion. The judge’s legal and procedural decisions are all on the record and the appeals court can look at those just as easily whether there was a trial to a jury or a trial to the court. Therefore, what is important for appeals purposes is making sure that any problems that might raise appeals issues are brought to the judge’s attention and that the judge rules on it in the record. This is something that lawyers are trained to do in law school and that too often pro se parties do not know how to do or the importance of it.

    Summary judgment is appropriate when there are no material factual issues in dispute in the case. There is no need for a trial in that case, either to a jury or to the judge because there is no need to hear evidence to decide the facts. The judge then can make a determination in the case based on those undisputed facts. It saves time and expense for everyone. But it doesn’t make appeal any easier than had the case gone to trial.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

    If there are potential issues (a problem that may cause an appeal) they should be placed in a Motion for Summary Judgment so the judge takes notice. There is no dispute of the facts in the case. It seems this would be a less expensive way to see if the Judge agrees with Motion for Summary Judgment of if the opposing side has anything (factual) that was not known about before.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: What are the Benefits of Filing a Motion for Summary Judgment

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    If there are potential issues (a problem that may cause an appeal) they should be placed in a Motion for Summary Judgment so the judge takes notice. There is no dispute of the facts in the case. It seems this would be a less expensive way to see if the Judge agrees with Motion for Summary Judgment of if the opposing side has anything (factual) that was not known about before.
    So I’m going to guess that you are considering filing a motion for summary judgment, probably in the case you have mentioned in other threads in which you are the plaintiff. If you are the plaintiff, are you saying that in its response the defendant agreed with all the facts you put in your complaint? If there is truly no dispute on the facts then the case is ripe for summary judgment and would indeed be a faster, less expensive way to resolve the dispute. Each side makes its argument on why the court should rule in its favor and then the judge applies the law to the undisputed facts and decides which way to rule.

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