Under what circumstance can a court grant summary judgment?

A court can grant summary judgment when there are no material facts in dispute, and one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. This concept is grounded in the principle that if the evidence presented is so clear that no reasonable jury could find in favor of the opposing party, then it is unnecessary to proceed to a full trial. By granting summary judgment, the court efficiently resolves issues without wasting judicial resources on a trial that would not alter the outcome given the established facts.

In contrast, circumstances like a dispute requiring a jury's decision suggest the existence of material facts that must be evaluated, thereby precluding summary judgment. An agreement between parties to settle out of court or claims of excessive delay do not provide a basis for granting summary judgment, as these situations pertain more to settlement processes or procedural concerns rather than a decisive legal determination regarding the merits of the case.