STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

[SUPERIOR] COURT

[COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
  Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
  Defendant.

Civil Action No. [CASE NO.]

DEFENDANT [DEFENDANT NAME]’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

[Rhode Island Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 56]

[// GUIDANCE: Use “Plaintiff’s Motion …” if appropriate. Confirm correct division (“Providence/Bristol,” “Kent,” etc.).]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Motion .............................................................................................................. 2
2. Statement of Undisputed Material Facts (“SUMF”) ........................................ 3
3. Memorandum of Law 4
     I. Introduction ..................................................................................... 4
     II. Procedural Background .................................................................. 4
     III. Standard of Review ....................................................................... 5
     IV. Argument ....................................................................................... 6
      A. [First Claim] ........................................................................... 6
      B. [Second Claim] ...................................................................... 7
     V. Conclusion & Prayer for Relief ....................................................... 9
4. Certification of Service .................................................................................. 10

1. MOTION

Defendant [DEFENDANT NAME] (“Defendant”), pursuant to Rule 56 of the Rhode Island Superior Court Rules of Civil Procedure, respectfully moves this Court for summary judgment in its favor on all claims asserted by Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF NAME] (“Plaintiff”). As demonstrated in the accompanying (i) Statement of Undisputed Material Facts (“SUMF”), (ii) Memorandum of Law, and (iii) supporting exhibits, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and Defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

WHEREFORE, Defendant requests that this Court:

A. Grant this Motion and enter judgment for Defendant on all counts of the Complaint;
B. Tax costs in favor of Defendant; and
C. Award such further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

[// GUIDANCE: Insert a separate proposed Order if required by local practice.]

Respectfully submitted this ___ day of ____ 20__.

2. STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS (“SUMF”)

Pursuant to R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 56(c), Defendant submits the following facts, each of which is undisputed and material:

1. [FACT 1] (Ex. A at 12:4-13).
2. [FACT 2] (Ex. B ¶ 7).
3. [FACT 3] (Compl. ¶ 21).

[// GUIDANCE: Cite record evidence precisely—affidavits, deposition excerpts, admissions, etc. Use “Ex.” references that correspond to an indexed exhibit list.]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW IN SUPPORT OF DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

I. Introduction

This action arises from ____. Plaintiff alleges ______. The undisputed record establishes that Plaintiff cannot prove the essential elements of [SPECIFY CLAIM(S)], and Defendant is therefore entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

II. Procedural Background

1. Plaintiff filed the Complaint on [DATE].
2. Defendant timely answered on [DATE].
3. Discovery closed on [DATE] without either party identifying evidence supporting [DISPUTED ELEMENT].

[// GUIDANCE: Tailor to actual docket events—counterclaims, amended pleadings, etc.]

III. Standard of Review

Summary judgment shall be granted “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 and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” R.I. Super. Ct. R. Civ. P. 56(c). The burden initially rests with the movant to identify the absence of a genuine factual issue; upon such showing, the non-movant must “demonstrate, by competent evidence, the existence of a genuine issue of material fact” and may not rely on mere allegations or denials. Id.; see also [INSERT CONTROLLING RI SUPREME COURT CASE NAME] (standard cited).

[// GUIDANCE: Insert controlling precedent—e.g., “Plainfield Pike Gas & Convenience, LLC v. 1889 Plainfield Pike Realty Corp., 994 A.2d 54, 57 (R.I. 2010).” Verify citation accuracy before filing.]

IV. Argument

A. Count I – [BREACH OF CONTRACT]

1. Essential elements: (a) existence of contract, (b) breach, (c) damages.
2. Undisputed facts show no breach because ___ (SUMF ¶¶ _-).
3. Absent breach, Plaintiff cannot establish damages as a matter of law.

Therefore, summary judgment should enter for Defendant on Count I.

B. Count II – [NEGLIGENCE / OTHER TORT]

1. Element of duty is lacking because _____ (SUMF ¶ ).
2. Even assuming duty, Plaintiff offers no admissible evidence of causation.
3. [Insert statute of limitations defense if applicable—cite R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14.]

Accordingly, Defendant is entitled to judgment on Count II.

[// GUIDANCE: Create separate subsections for each remaining claim, affirmative defense, or damages theory.]

V. Conclusion & Prayer for Relief

Because there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and Defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the Court should grant Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment in its entirety, dismiss all claims with prejudice, enter final judgment pursuant to Rule 54(b) if appropriate, and award costs to Defendant.

4. CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on the ___ day of ____ 20__, a true and correct copy of the foregoing Motion for Summary Judgment, Statement of Undisputed Material Facts, Memorandum of Law, and all supporting exhibits was served via [E-File system / hand delivery / first-class mail] upon:

[OPPOSING COUNSEL NAME]
[LAW FIRM]
[ADDRESS]
[EMAIL]

/s/ _________
[ATTORNEY NAME] (# RIBAR NO.)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Defendant

APPENDICES & PLACEHOLDERS

1. Exhibit Index (Ex. A–__) – [AFFIDAVITS, CONTRACTS, DEPO EXCERPTS, ETC.]
2. Proposed Order – [OPTIONAL PER JUDGE’S PREFERENCE]
3. Hearing Request Form – [IF REQUIRED BY LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER]

PRACTICAL CHECKLIST

[// GUIDANCE: Use before filing]
☐ Verify page-limit compliance (see R.I. Sup. Ct. Admin. Order 2012-05 or subsequent order).
☐ Confirm citations match record evidence.
☐ Ensure SUMF pin-citations correspond to exhibit page/line.
☐ File SUMF as separate document if division requires.
☐ Provide judge’s courtesy copy per local rules.
☐ Calendar hearing date and serve Notice of Hearing if required.

[// GUIDANCE: This template assumes defense posture; switch perspective for plaintiff-movant. Always consult the latest Rhode Island Superior Court rules, administrative orders, and individual justice’s standing orders before filing.]