What are “dispositive motions” in legal practice?

Dispositive motions refer specifically to requests made to a court that seek to resolve a case or a particular issue within a case, often effectively ending the litigation without a trial. Such motions can include motions for summary judgment, motions to dismiss, and motions for judgment on the pleadings. By moving for dismissal or other forms of definitive resolutions, the party is indicating that even if all the factual disputes are viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, there is no legal basis for the case to proceed.

In this context, a request to dismiss a case or issue is a primary example of a dispositive motion, as it seeks a conclusion to the case based on legal deficiencies rather than factual disputes. This not only saves court resources but also can significantly affect the parties involved by providing clarity on the legal standing of the issues at hand.

The other options—such as requests to delay a case, requests for a continuance, and requests for additional evidence—do not resolve the substantive legal issues but instead pertain to procedural matters. Dispositive motions aim for a definitive resolution of the legal claims rather than simply altering the timeline or scope of the proceedings.