In law, a dispositive motion is a motion seeking a trial court order entirely disposing of all or part of the claims in favor of the moving party without need for further trial court proceedings.
In the U.S., the most common type of dispositive motions seeking to dispose of the entire lawsuit are those for summary judgment.
Regardless whether the dispositive motion is for summary judgment or adjudication, the motion must be supported by declarations under oath, excerpts from depositions which are also under oath, admissions of fact by the opposing party and other discovery such as interrogatories, as well as a legal argument (points and authorities).
If there is any question as to whether there is conflict on the facts on an issue, the summary judgment or adjudication must be denied regarding that matter.
A dispositive motion may also be used to request that an indictment be dismissed or quashed, or for judgment on pleadings.