Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Summary judgment definition

What does Summary judgment mean? A fast-track court decision on all or part of a claim without a full trial, used where the court can see promptly that one side has no real prospect of succeeding or defending; in some jurisdictions it also asks whether there is any other compelling reason for a trial. In England and Wales, summary judgment is governed by CPR Part 24. It is available to claimants or defendants on the whole claim or a discrete issue (including liability or a point of law). The court decides on written evidence (statements of case, witness statements and documents) and will not grant it...

Summary judgment under CPR 24 (England and Wales): parties, timing and excluded proceedings, ‘issue’ v ‘claim’, permission, and court’s own initiative—updated for 1 October 2023 amendments

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Practice notes

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This Practice Note outlines summary judgment under CPR 24, setting out in clear terms who may seek such an order, when an application can be brought, and the circumstances in which it is not permitted under the rules. For procedural guidance on issuing a summary judgment application, see Practice Note: Summary judgment—making an application. For the judiciary’s approach to determining these applications, see Practice Note: Summary judgment—general principles.

Amendments to CPR Part 24 and CPR PD 24—1 October 2023

Practitioners should be aware that the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) on summary judgment changed with effect from 1 October 2023. CPR Part 24 was replaced and CPR PD 24 was withdrawn. The reforms aim to streamline the rules and do not significantly affect the substantive law or day-to-day practice. The numbering and placement of certain provisions have been altered accordingly. Consequently, authorities predating the 1 October 2023 amendments may, from time to time, refer to the former provisions and numbering. This Practice Note cites CPR Part 24 and CPR PD 24 as they stand from 1 October 2023. For tables mapping the old provisions to their new homes, and showing the sources of the new provisions, see Practice Note: Summary judgment—CPR...

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Web page updated on 27/05/2026

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