Legal Memorandum: Standard for Summary Judgment in NJ

Issue: Under New Jersey law, what is the standard for summary judgment?

              Summary judgment is appropriate if "the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact challenged and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment or order as a matter of law."  Vallillo v. Muskin Corp., 218 N.J. Super. 472, 475 (App. Div.) (Vallillo II)(quoting N.J. Civ. P. R. 4:46-2), cert. denied, 109 N.J. 496, 537 A.2d 1287 (1987).  In ruling on a motion for summary judgment the trial court "must give the benefit of all reasonable inferences and any doubt to the opponent."  Labree v. Millville Mfg., Inc., 195 N.J. Super. 575, 481 A.2d 286, 290 (App. Div. 1984); see also Judson v. Peoples Bank & Trust Co., 17 N.J. 67, 74-75, 110 A.2d 24 (1954).  At the summary judgment stage the court should not resolve various factual questions, Judson, 17 N.J. at 75, but rather accept as true the undisputed facts, Vallillo v. Muskin Corp., 212 N.J. Super. 155, 514 A.2d 528 (App. Div. 1986) (Vallillo I).

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