Parties use summary judgment motions to ask the court to decide some or all of the claims before trial. Summary judgment accelerates the resolution of a claim or lawsuit, promotes efficiency, and conserves judicial resources. Any party may seek summary judgment under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure (FRCP) 56 to either prevail on their own claims or defeat an opposing party's claims.

This Toolkit contains resources designed to assist counsel with the procedural aspects of summary judgment motions in federal civil litigation. For resources related to summary judgment motions in securities litigation, see Securities Litigation: Summary Judgment Toolkit.

For resources on motions to dismiss, see Motion to Dismiss in Federal Court Toolkit.