If the only remaining issue after a Motion for Summary Judgment is damages, what may the court do regarding liability and damages?

If the only remaining issue after a Motion for Summary Judgment is damages, what may the court do regarding liability and damages?

• A. The court must deny SJ if damages remain
• B. SJ may be granted only for damages
• C. The court must reschedule trial to a later date
• D. The court can grant SJ on liability and hold an immediate trial for damages

Answer: (D)

Partial summary judgment can resolve a portion of a case where there is no genuine dispute about material facts. If liability is clear and the only remaining issue is damages, the court may enter judgment on liability via summary judgment and then conduct an immediate trial focused only on damages to determine the amount owed. This approach keeps the case efficient by eliminating any further dispute about liability while moving promptly to quantify the remedy. Denial of summary judgment isn’t required when damages remain; the court can still grant partial judgment on the liability issue. Granting summary judgment only for damages isn’t the usual path here because the procedural efficiency comes from resolving the uncontested liability first. Rescheduling the trial isn’t necessary when the court can proceed to a damages-only trial right away.

Partial summary judgment can resolve a portion of a case where there is no genuine dispute about material facts. If liability is clear and the only remaining issue is damages, the court may enter judgment on liability via summary judgment and then conduct an immediate trial focused only on damages to determine the amount owed. This approach keeps the case efficient by eliminating any further dispute about liability while moving promptly to quantify the remedy.

Denial of summary judgment isn’t required when damages remain; the court can still grant partial judgment on the liability issue. Granting summary judgment only for damages isn’t the usual path here because the procedural efficiency comes from resolving the uncontested liability first. Rescheduling the trial isn’t necessary when the court can proceed to a damages-only trial right away.