Which pleading asks the court to decide based solely on the pleadings?

• A. Summary Judgment
• B. Judgment on the Pleadings
• C. Demurrer
• D. Directed Verdict

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is deciding a case using only what is stated in the pleadings. Judgment on the Pleadings asks the court to render a decision based solely on the complaint and the answer (plus any attached documents), treating the factual allegations as true and determining whether they state a legal claim or defense without considering any outside evidence. If the pleadings show a legal basis for relief or dismissal, the court can enter judgment as a matter of law.

This differs from a summary judgment, which looks at evidence beyond the pleadings—like affidavits or discovery materials—because there might be no genuine issues of material fact, even when the pleadings alone could be incomplete. It also differs from a demurrer, which challenges the sufficiency or form of the pleading itself with the aim of dismissing for failure to state a cause of action, not necessarily delivering a final disposition on the merits based only on the pleadings. A directed verdict, on the other hand, happens after a trial and directs the jury to render a specific verdict based on the evidence presented, not merely on the pleadings.