What is the purpose of a motion for judgment on the pleadings?

• A. To obtain judgment based solely on the pleadings when no genuine issue of material fact exists.
• B. To allow discovery of additional evidence.
• C. To dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.
• D. To vacate the judgment.

Answer: (A)

A motion for judgment on the pleadings aims to resolve the case when the pleadings themselves show there are no genuine disputes about any material facts, so the court can enter judgment as a matter of law without a trial. This motion is decided on the contents of the pleadings—what the complaint and answer (and any related documents that are part of the pleadings) assert—without considering outside evidence or discovery. It comes after the pleadings are closed and, if granted, ends the case without going to trial.

This is not about gathering more information through discovery, not about dismissing for lack of jurisdiction, and not about undoing a judgment already entered. Those are different procedures.