Explain the term "summary judgment".

Summary judgment refers to a legal decision made by a court without the need for a full trial, typically based on the assessment of material facts that are not in dispute. This process allows a court to resolve a case efficiently when there are no genuine issues of material fact that would require a trial to determine. In essence, if the evidence presented clearly shows that one party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the court can issue this judgment.

By utilizing summary judgment, the legal system aims to streamline the judicial process, preventing unnecessary trials when the outcome is evident based on the law and undisputed facts. This helps conserve judicial resources and reduces the burden on the parties involved, allowing them to avoid the time, expense, and unpredictability that often accompany a trial.

The other responses do not accurately capture the nature of summary judgment. A judgment issued after a jury trial indicates a decision reached at the conclusion of a trial where factual determinations can be made by a jury, which is contrary to what summary judgment entails. Similarly, a ruling that allows for additional evidence to be added implies that there is still a need for further proceedings, while summary judgment is meant to conclude a case where further evidence is unnecessary. Lastly, a judgment on appeal that modifies the