Legal Definitions - motion for judgment on the pleadings

Definition: A motion for judgment on the pleadings is a request made by a party to the court to rule in their favor based solely on the information presented in the pleadings, without accepting any additional evidence. This type of motion is typically made when the outcome of the case depends on the court's interpretation of the law.

Example: In a lawsuit involving a breach of contract, the defendant may file a motion for judgment on the pleadings if they believe that the plaintiff has failed to state a valid claim. The defendant would argue that even if all of the allegations in the plaintiff's complaint are true, they do not amount to a breach of contract. The court would then review the pleadings and determine whether the plaintiff has stated a valid claim.

Another example: In a case involving a dispute over the interpretation of a statute, one party may file a motion for judgment on the pleadings if they believe that the statute is clear and unambiguous, and that the court can make a ruling based solely on the language of the statute. The court would then review the pleadings and determine whether the statute is clear and unambiguous, and whether the party's interpretation is correct.

These examples illustrate how a motion for judgment on the pleadings can be used to resolve a case without the need for a trial or additional evidence. Instead, the court relies solely on the information presented in the pleadings to make a ruling.