A motion for summary judgment is used to seek a judgment without a trial, arguing that there are no genuine issues of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. If granted, it means the case does not need to proceed to trial because the facts are undisputed.
A "motion to dismiss" is a legal request to terminate a lawsuit based on certain deficiencies in the complaint or legal grounds, such as lack of jurisdiction, failure to state a claim, or other procedural issues. It does not address the merits of the case but rather focuses on whether the case should proceed at all.
The discovery process allows parties to gather evidence and information from each other before trial. This helps ensure that both sides are fully informed about the facts of the case, which promotes fairness and preparation for trial.
Under the Rhode Island Rules of Civil Procedure, a plaintiff generally has 20 days from the date of filing the complaint to serve it on the defendant. This rule ensures that the defendant receives timely notice of the legal action.
Personal jurisdiction requires that the defendant have sufficient "minimum contacts" with the forum state (Rhode Island) so that it is fair to require them to defend a lawsuit there. This principle ensures that a court has a reasonable basis for exercising jurisdiction over the defendant.
