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Law vocabulary · Lawsuits & Procedure

Motion

Meaning in law, with examples

/ˈməʊʃn/nounCommon term

In law, motion means: A formal request to a judge, made in writing or orally during a case, asking the court to make a particular order or decision.

In Turkish: talep, talep dilekçesi, önerge

How it is used

Standard in US litigation: 'file a motion', 'motion to dismiss', 'motion for summary judgment'. The judge 'grants' or 'denies' the motion. In England and Wales the usual word is 'application'. In meetings and parliaments, a motion is a proposal that people vote on.

Example sentences

  1. The defendant filed a motion to dismiss the case for lack of jurisdiction.

  2. The judge denied our motion to postpone the trial.

Common collocations

  • file a motion
  • motion to dismiss
  • motion for summary judgment
  • grant a motion
  • deny a motion
  • fileTo officially give a document to a court or public office so that it becomes part of the record, for example to start a case or to answer one.
  • dismissTo reject a case, claim or appeal so that it does not go any further; also to end someone's employment.
  • hearingA meeting of a court or tribunal where the parties or their lawyers present arguments or evidence on a particular issue.
  • proceedingsThe formal steps of a legal case, from the moment it is started until it is finished; the legal process as a whole.

More terms: Lawsuits & Procedure

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.