Also known as: entitlement to judgment as a matter of law · entitles to judgment as a matter of law · JMOL · judgment as a matter of law · Rule 50
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An evidentiary standard that permits a court to enter judgment without trial or to direct a verdict when the record shows no genuine dispute of material fact and the moving party prevails under the applicable substantive law.
After Elm Eco rested its public-nuisance case against Pinnacle Clean, the defendant moved for judgment as a matter of law. The only evidence of causation consisted of photographs taken weeks after a storm and lay testimony about odors near the outfall. Because no reasonable jury could find causation on that record, the court granted the motion and entered judgment for Pinnacle Clean.
Red Investments moved for judgment as a matter of law after Bianca rested her securities-fraud case but before the matter went to the jury. The motion identified the missing elements of justifiable reliance and knowingly false statements and requested judgment on the entire claim. The court granted the motion because the procedural requirements were satisfied and the evidence was legally insufficient.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Global Cargo moved for summary judgment on Sean’s misclassification claim, supporting the motion with a dispatcher’s declaration and selected GPS logs. Sean opposed with uncited delivery receipts showing late arrivals that bore on the degree of control. Because the conflicting materials created a genuine dispute of material fact on an essential element, the court denied the motion.
Liberty Lobby moved for summary judgment in a defamation action, arguing that the record contained no clear and convincing evidence of actual malice. The nonmovant offered only conclusory allegations without specific facts. The court granted the motion because no reasonable jury could find for the plaintiff on the dispositive issue.
Celotex moved for summary judgment in a wrongful-death action, pointing to the absence of any evidence that its product caused the decedent’s exposure. The plaintiff produced no affidavits or other materials showing a genuine dispute on causation. The court granted the motion because the movant had shown that the nonmovant could not carry its burden at trial.
Adickes sued Kress after being refused service in a lunch counter. Kress moved for summary judgment, and the record contained no evidence that a police officer was present pursuant to a conspiracy. The court granted the motion because the plaintiff had failed to produce facts that would permit a reasonable jury to draw the necessary inference.
A party may move for judgment as a matter of law at any time before the case is submitted to the jury. The motion must specify the judgment sought and the law and facts that entitle the movant to that judgment.
Supporting sources
The court shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Supporting sources
Both standards ask whether a reasonable jury could find for the nonmovant on the issue. Rule 50 applies after a party has been fully heard at trial. Rule 56 applies on the basis of the pretrial record.
Supporting sources
The movant must demonstrate that the claim or defense can be maintained or defeated only with a favorable finding on that issue and that a reasonable jury would lack a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to make that finding.
Supporting sources
…the plaintiff and thus deprive the defendant, who had not rested, of his right to offer evidence in defense of plaintiff's case. Rule 50, Fed. Rules Civ. Proc. It is urged by respondent that, from the colloquy between the district judge and counsel, which, as stated, is set forth in substance in Mr. Justice Frankfurter's…