
In law, a motion is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. Motions are supported by evidence and must include a separate Notice of Motion, which summarises the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and the date, time, and location of the hearing. Motions can be used to dismiss a case, compel discovery, quash a request, or clarify ambiguous orders. A request, on the other hand, is a more general term for asking the court for something during litigation, such as a Request for Jury or a Request for Information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of Motion | A written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. |
| Who Makes a Motion? | The party requesting the motion is the moving party or movant. |
| Who Opposes the Motion? | The party opposing the motion is the non-moving party or non-movant. |
| What is a Request? | Asking the court or judge to rule on a specific issue. |
| Types of Motions | Discovery motions, motions to dismiss, motions to compel, consent motions, etc. |
| Motion Requirements | Must be supported by evidence and include a separate "Notice of Motion". |
| Notice of Motion Requirements | Must include a brief summary of the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and the date, time, and location of the hearing (if applicable). |
| Response Requirements | Must be filed and served within a specific deadline, usually 14 days prior to a hearing. May agree with or oppose the requested action. |
| Response to Oppose | Must contain reasons for opposing the motion and include supporting evidence. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Motions are written requests made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order
- Motions must be supported by evidence and include a separate Notice of Motion
- A motion to dismiss is when a party contends that the plaintiff's claim is not one the court can rule on
- A motion to compel discovery can be used if the other party fails to respond to a request for information
- Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, but this is regulated by court rules

Motions are written requests made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order
In law, a motion is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. Motions are usually made by a party to a suit or proceeding, or by someone with a vested interest in the outcome. They can be made at any point in administrative, criminal, or civil proceedings, although court rules vary depending on the jurisdiction.
A motion must be supported by evidence and include a separate "Notice of Motion", which outlines the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and the date, time, and location of the hearing, if applicable. The "Notice of Motion" and the Motion must be served to all relevant parties, as outlined by the Local Bankruptcy Rules and Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure. This is an important part of due process, and failure to serve interested parties can result in a delay or denial of the motion.
There are several types of motions, including motions to dismiss, motions to compel, and discovery motions. A motion to dismiss is requested when one side, usually the defendant, argues that the plaintiff's claim is not one that the court can rule on. This may be because the statute of limitations has expired, the defendant has been granted immunity, or the defendant has already been tried for the same offence (double jeopardy). A motion to compel is used to force the other party to provide a response to a request for information or to provide a more complete response if their initial reply was vague or incomplete. Discovery motions relate to the exchange of information between parties, with criminal discovery focused on automatic disclosure principles and civil discovery on discretionary practices.
The court's response to a motion may take several forms. The judge may issue an oral decision, request a written order outlining the salient points, draft a lengthy written decision, or fill out a standard court form. The court may serve its decision directly to all parties or only to the winner, who then serves the other parties.
My Brother-in-Law's Family: Who Are They to Me?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Motions must be supported by evidence and include a separate Notice of Motion
A motion is a written application for an order addressed to the court or a judge. It is a procedural device to bring a contested issue before a court for decision. In other words, a motion is a request to the judge or judges to make a decision about a case. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal, or civil proceedings, although court rules vary from place to place. The party requesting the motion is the moving party or movant, and the party opposing is the nonmoving party or nonmovant.
In the context of Black's Law, motions must be supported by evidence and include a separate Notice of Motion. The Notice of Motion should include a brief summary of the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and, if there is a hearing, the date, time, and location. This is an important part of due process, and failure to serve interested parties can result in a delay or denial of the motion.
The Notice of Motion and the Motion must be served upon all parties as required by the relevant Bankruptcy Rules. Other parties then have the chance to file and serve a written response to the motion, agreeing or opposing the action requested. If the response opposes the motion, it must include supporting evidence.
There are several types of motions, including motions to dismiss and motions to compel discovery. A motion to dismiss asks the court to decide that a claim, even if true, is not one for which the law offers a remedy. This may be because there is no legal issue for the court to rule on, the statute of limitations has expired, or the defendant has been granted immunity, for example. A motion to compel discovery could be used if the other party fails to respond to a request for information or provides an incomplete response.
Ed Bickel's Brother-in-Law: Who Is He?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

A motion to dismiss is when a party contends that the plaintiff's claim is not one the court can rule on
In the United States, a motion is a procedural device used to bring a contested issue before a court for decision. It is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. Motions can be made at any point in administrative, criminal, or civil proceedings, although court rules vary from place to place. The party requesting the motion is the moving party or movant, and the party opposing it is the nonmoving party or nonmovant.
A motion to dismiss is a type of motion that is commonly used in legal proceedings. This motion is made when a party, usually the defendant, contends that the plaintiff's claim is not one that the court can rule on, even if the facts of the case are true. In other words, the moving party is not disputing the facts presented by the other party but is arguing that the claim does not present a legal issue that falls within the court's jurisdiction. For example, a claim that the defendant failed to greet the plaintiff on the street would likely be dismissed as it does not constitute a breach of any legal duty.
There are several grounds on which a motion to dismiss may be filed. One such ground is the statute of limitations, where a claim is presented after the deadline for filing has passed, resulting in the court's inability to deliver a verdict. Another ground is double jeopardy, where the defendant has been previously tried for the same offence. Additionally, a motion to dismiss may be filed if the defendant waives their right to a speedy trial or has been granted immunity or a pardon.
It is important to note that a motion to dismiss is distinct from a motion to compel, which is used to force the other party to provide a response or information during the discovery process. Motions to compel can be used to ensure that both parties have equal access to relevant information and evidence during the discovery process.
Understanding the Three Main Types of Legal Contracts
You may want to see also
Explore related products

A motion to compel discovery can be used if the other party fails to respond to a request for information
In the US legal system, a motion is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. Motions are supported by evidence and must include a separate "Notice of Motion", which summarises the nature of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and the date, time, and location of the hearing.
During the discovery process, both parties to a lawsuit or case will collect information and evidence to build their case. They can request information from one another to help establish the facts. A motion to compel discovery can be used if the other party fails to respond to a request for information. This is a motion that asks the judge to use the power of the court to force another party to respond to a request for information.
Before filing a motion to compel, the requesting party must first attempt to "meet and confer" with the opposing counsel or self-represented party. This involves sending a letter that informs the opposing party that the deadline to respond has passed and providing them with a reasonable time to respond. If the opposing party still fails to respond or provides an incomplete or evasive response, the requesting party can then file a motion to compel with the court.
The motion to compel must include a copy of the original discovery request and proof of service, showing the date it was served on the other party. The requesting party must also include a certification that they have conferred or attempted to confer in good faith with the non-responding party.
Failing to comply with a motion to compel can result in sanctions, including being held in contempt of court.
Corn Laws: Britain's Protectionist Policy
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, but this is regulated by court rules
A motion is a procedural device used to bring a contested issue before a court for decision. It is a request to a judge or judges to make a decision about a case. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal, or civil proceedings. However, this right is regulated by court rules, which vary across different jurisdictions.
In the United States, courts generally adhere to the adversarial system and the principle of party presentation. This means that the courts rely on the parties and their counsel to present contested issues for resolution. Subsequently, the courts rule on these presented issues. To initiate a motion, the moving party or movant must file a written application or request addressed to the court or judge. This request must be supported by evidence and include a separate "Notice of Motion". The "Notice of Motion" should contain a summary of the motion, the deadline for filing a response, and the hearing date, time, and location if applicable.
There are several types of motions, including motions to dismiss, motions to compel discovery, and consent motions. A motion to dismiss is requested when one side, typically the defendant, argues that the plaintiff's claim is not one on which the court can rule. This could be due to the absence of a legal issue presented in the facts or the expiration of the statute of limitations. A motion to compel discovery can be used to ensure that both parties have access to relevant information during the discovery process. If one party fails to respond or provides inadequate responses to a request for information, the other party can file a motion to compel a response. Consent motions, as the name suggests, involve both parties agreeing to the request, such as a postponement of the case.
It is important to note that the process and requirements for filing a motion may vary depending on the specific court rules and regulations in each jurisdiction.
The Evolution of Migration Laws: A Historical Overview
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A motion is a procedural device to bring a contested issue before a court for decision. It is a written request made to the court, asking the judge to issue an order. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, although court rules vary from place to place.
A request is made by a plaintiff, prosecutor, or defendant to the court or judge to rule on a specific issue. This is known as a motion.
A motion is a formal, written request to the court, supported by evidence. A request is made by a party involved in the case and can be made orally in open court.



































