Ontario Barrister and Solicitor Practice Exam 2025 - Free Barrister and Solicitor Practice Questions and Study Guide

Summary judgment is defined as a court decision made without the need for a full trial, specifically in cases where there are no genuine disputes concerning material facts. This legal concept aims to expedite the judicial process by allowing the court to resolve issues that can be determined based on the law and the undisputed facts presented in the case.

In summary judgment motions, one party typically argues that the evidence is so clear that there is no need for the trial to establish the facts, as both parties agree on what those facts are. If the court concurs that there are no substantive issues needing a trial, it can issue a judgment in favor of one party without going through the lengthy trial process.

The other options, while related to legal proceedings, do not accurately describe summary judgment. For instance, a settlement agreement reflects a mutual decision between parties to resolve a dispute outside of court. A request for a new trial pertains to situations where one party believes there were errors in the original trial that warrant another chance at a decision. Lastly, negotiation processes focus on settlement discussions rather than court decisions on the merits of a case.