<P> In American legal practice , summary judgment can be awarded by the court before trial , effectively holding that no trial will be necessary . At the federal level , a summary - judgment motion in United States District Court is governed by Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure . Other pretrial motions , such as a `` motion for judgment on the pleadings '' or a `` motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted , '' can be converted by the judge to summary - judgment motions if matters outside the pleadings are presented to -- and not excluded by -- the trial - court judge . </P>
<P> In American legal practice , summary judgment can be awarded by the court before trial , effectively holding that no trial will be necessary . At the federal level , a summary - judgment motion in United States District Court is governed by Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure . Other pretrial motions , such as a `` motion for judgment on the pleadings '' or a `` motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted , '' can be converted by the judge to summary - judgment motions if matters outside the pleadings are presented to -- and not excluded by -- the trial - court judge . </P>
what happens if a motion for summary judgment is granted
what happens if a motion for summary judgment is granted
no trial will be necessary
no trial will be necessary