Summary judgment is a legal term that refers to a decision made by a judge before going to trial. It occurs when one party in a lawsuit files a motion asking for an immediate ruling in their favor, based on the evidence presented. The motion argues that there are no material facts in dispute and that the party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. If the court agrees with this argument, it will grant summary judgment in favor of the moving party, effectively ending the case without going to trial. Summary judgment can be granted on various grounds such as lack of jurisdiction, failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted, or that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.