What is a "summary judgment"?

A summary judgment is a legal decision made by a court without the need for a full trial when there are no disputed material facts between the parties involved in a case. This means that one party can demonstrate that even if all the facts are viewed in the light most favorable to the other party, there is no genuine issue requiring a trial. Essentially, the court determines that the evidence presented shows that one party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law, which can lead to a more efficient resolution of cases. This is particularly beneficial in cases where the facts are clear and the law strongly favors one side.

The other options refer to different legal procedures or concepts that do not accurately define summary judgment. For example, a judgment that allows a case to proceed to trial implies that there are still issues to be resolved, which contradicts the premise of summary judgment. A type of judgment that is reversible on appeal relates to the appellate process and does not define the nature of summary judgment itself. Lastly, a ruling based on witness testimonies only does not capture the essence of summary judgment, which is focused on the existence of material facts rather than on the type of evidence provided. Thus, the emphasis on undisputed material facts is what makes option A the correct choice