DISPOSITION OF CASE
Method
Failure to State a Claim 12(b)(6)
must be served before answer is due; can be in ans, after pleadings closed, or at trial pre-answer motion of or in ans; or as 12(c) motion; or at trial
Default Judgment 55
If the other party has personally, or by representative, shown up, you must serve notice in 7 days
By Clerk: 55(b)(1), if a sum of damages can be made by calculation. By Judge 55(b)(1) if need a damage hearing
Voluntary Dismissal, by 41(a)
~If before answer or motion for summary judgment, no permission needed. 41(a)(1) (a)(i) ~If has filed an answer either by stipulation, or by court order ~If before answer or motion, just notice and reasoning for dismissal ~If before has filed, stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties or court order
Involuntary Dismissal, by 41(b) Can be done at any time if fails to prosecute or fail courts rules.
~ may move for it ~or court may do so sua sponte as sanction (usually the court will warn first)
Judgmen of Law a Verdict
Rule Timing
50(a)
~During party has heard on ~Before Must be
How Presented
Supporting Materials Criteria
Memo in support; no materials; 56 failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
Failure to plead must be shown by affidavit or otherwise 55(a)
When a party against whom a judgment of affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend.
When a wants to dismiss. Can be for many reasons, such as timing issues, realization of weak case, settlement).
If fails to prosecute or comply with rules or court order
~With prejudice (unless stated otherwise) (unless dismissed for lack of jdx, improper venue, or failure to join party) ~If these exceptions are not met, dismissal operates as adjudication on the merits
Evidenti legally s evidentia met, or r enough e to jury
Other
may combine with other preanswer motions; court usually dismisses with leave to file amended ; not waived 12(h)(2)
60(b): Relief from Without prejudice, judgment unless specified otherwise
Same sta Summar (just at a time)
Method
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings 12(c) Early enough not to delay trial
Other Rule 12 Motions 12
1)Lack of s.m.j. 2) Lack of p.j. 3)Improper Venue 4)Insufficient Process
Summary Judgment 56
~Unless local rule or court mandate, 30 days after close of discovery ~To oppose motion, file response w/in 21 days after motion is served or responsive pleading is due, whichever is later. Movant can respond
Rule Timing
5)Insufficient service of process
within 21 days
How Presented Supporting Materials
By motion by either party Pleadings and memorandum in support If there are no materials 56
By motion or in answer
By motion of any party
~w/ or w/o affidavits. Must have personal knowledge 56(c)
Criteria
Based only on pleadings. Movant must be entitled to judgment as a matter of law Rare (occurs most frequently with debtors
~Can file only one pre-answer motion ~If not raise, (2), (3), (4), and (5) are waived. (1) is never waived
If the pleadings, discovery and disclosure materials show there is not genuine issue as to material fact and movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law
Other
Movant has to prove absence of evidence, but they dont have to show the negative. Can have partial summary judgment