[PLAINTIFF FULL LEGAL NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT FULL LEGAL NAME],
Defendant.

______/

PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
(Vt. R. Civ. P. 56 and Vt. R. Civ. P. 7)

[// GUIDANCE: 1) File this Motion far enough in advance of the trial‐ready date to comply with any scheduling order;
2) Confirm that no standing order or local rule imposes different page limits, font requirements, or hearing-notice procedures.]

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. INTRODUCTION AND RELIEF REQUESTED ............................. 2
II. COMPLIANCE STATEMENT ......................................... 2
III. STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS ........................ 3
IV. SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD .................................... 4
V. ARGUMENT ..................................................... 5
A. Element One: [Heading] .................................... 5
B. Element Two: [Heading] .................................... 6
C. Element Three: [Heading] .................................. 7
VI. CONCLUSION/PRAYER FOR RELIEF ................................. 8
VII. REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT (OPTIONAL).......................... 8
VIII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ....................................... 9
IX. PROPOSED ORDER ............................................... 10

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I. INTRODUCTION AND RELIEF REQUESTED
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Pursuant to Vt. R. Civ. P. 56, Plaintiff [PLAINTIFF] respectfully moves this Court for the entry of summary judgment in its favor and against Defendant [DEFENDANT] on Counts [##] of the Complaint. The undisputed material facts establish, as a matter of law, that:

1. [Summarize determinative fact #1 in one sentence];
2. [Summarize determinative fact #2]; and
3. [Summarize determinative fact #3].

Because no genuine issue of material fact exists and Plaintiff is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the Court should (a) grant this Motion, (b) enter judgment as set forth in the accompanying Proposed Order, and (c) schedule a damages/assessment hearing (if necessary).

[// GUIDANCE: Keep the Introduction concise—three or four short paragraphs are ideal for immediately orienting the Court.]

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II. COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
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This Motion is supported by:
1. Plaintiff’s Statement of Undisputed Material Facts (“SUMF”), formatted in separately numbered paragraphs in accordance with Vt. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1);
2. The Memorandum of Law herein (Sections IV–V);
3. The following evidentiary materials, each submitted in sequentially-lettered exhibits:[^1]
a. [Ex. A] Affidavit of [Name] dated [Date];
b. [Ex. B] Deposition excerpts of [Name] (pp. ##-##);
c. [Ex. C] Relevant discovery responses; and
d. [Ex. D] [Other documental evidence].

[^1]: Vt. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(4) requires that supporting affidavits “be made on personal knowledge, set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify.”

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III. STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS
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[// GUIDANCE: Each fact must cite record evidence immediately after the statement—e.g., “(Smith Aff. ¶ 6).” The Court may strike facts lacking pinpoint citations.]

1. On [date], Plaintiff and Defendant executed the written contract titled “[Contract Name].” (Ex. A, §2).
2. The contract required Defendant to [specific obligation] no later than [date]. (Id.).
3. Defendant has never performed [obligation]. (Ex. B, Dep. p. 18:10-22).
4. Plaintiff demanded performance in writing on [date], and Defendant failed to cure within the ten-day period provided. (Ex. C, Interrog. #5).
5. Plaintiff incurred damages of $[amount], as reflected in the sworn accounting. (Ex. D, ¶3).

[Add additional facts as needed, each in its own numbered paragraph.]

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IV. SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD
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Under Vt. R. Civ. P. 56(a), summary judgment “shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that any party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” The movant bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence of a genuine dispute; the burden then shifts to the non-movant to produce admissible evidence setting forth specific facts demonstrating a triable issue. See Vt. R. Civ. P. 56(e).

[// GUIDANCE: The Bluebook citation above is a rule citation, permissible under the Citation Policy.]

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V. ARGUMENT
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A. Defendant Breached the Contract as a Matter of Law.
1. Existence of a Valid Contract.
The undisputed evidence (SUMF ¶1; Ex. A) establishes a written, enforceable contract between the parties.
2. Breach.
Defendant admits non-performance (SUMF ¶3). No contractual defense (e.g., impossibility, frustration) is supported by record evidence.
3. Damages.
Plaintiff’s unrebutted accounting (SUMF ¶5; Ex. D) shows damages totaling $[amount].

B. [Alternative / Additional Cause of Action Heading].
[Analysis tailored to elements of the claim.]

C. [If Seeking Partial Summary Judgment, delineate counts or issues].

[// GUIDANCE: Organize each claim with sub-headings tracking the statutory or common-law elements; cite only rules/statutes you are 100 % certain about. Omit case citations unless counsel will supply.]

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VI. CONCLUSION / PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court:

1. GRANT Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment;
2. ENTER judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant on Counts [##] in the principal amount of $[amount] plus prejudgment interest at the statutory rate;
3. AWARD Plaintiff its taxable costs pursuant to Vt. R. Civ. P. 54(d); and
4. GRANT such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

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VII. REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT (OPTIONAL)
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Pursuant to Vt. R. Civ. P. 78(b), Plaintiff requests oral argument on this Motion and estimates that [30] minutes will be required.

[// GUIDANCE: Strike this section if the Court routinely decides motions on the papers or if page limits are tight.]

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VIII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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I hereby certify that on this [##] day of [Month], [Year], I served the foregoing Motion for Summary Judgment, together with all supporting exhibits, via:

☐ Vermont e-filing system
☐ First-class mail, postage prepaid
☐ Hand delivery

upon:
[DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME]
[Law Firm]
[Address]
[Email]

/s/ _____
[ATTORNEY NAME], Esq.
(Vermont Bar No. ____)
[Law Firm]
[Street Address]
[City, VT ZIP]
Tel.: [(###) ###-####]
Email: [[email protected]]

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IX. PROPOSED ORDER
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STATE OF VERMONT )
[SUPERIOR COURT] ) DOCKET NO. [###]
[CIVIL] DIVISION )
[UNIT/COUNTY] )

______/

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Having reviewed Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment, the Statement of Undisputed Material Facts, Defendant’s opposition (if any), and the entire record, and being duly advised, the Court finds that no genuine issue of material fact exists and that Plaintiff is entitled to judgment as a matter of law under Vt. R. Civ. P. 56.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED;
2. Judgment is entered in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant on Counts [##] in the amount of $[amount], plus prejudgment interest at the statutory rate from [date] through the date of this Order;
3. Plaintiff is awarded its taxable costs upon timely filing of a verified bill of costs; and
4. The Clerk shall enter judgment accordingly.

SO ORDERED this _ day of _, 20___.

Judge [Name]
Vermont Superior Court, [Unit/County] Civil Division

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[END OF DOCUMENT]
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[// GUIDANCE: Before filing, (1) confirm all cross-references to paragraph numbers, exhibit labels, and rule citations; (2) update monetary amounts and interest figures; (3) attach notarized affidavits that conform to Vt. Rule 80(k) (if applicable); and (4) verify compliance with any standing discovery or mediation orders.]