Summary judgment is a legal procedure used in civil cases to resolve a dispute without a full trial. It occurs when one party believes there are no genuine issues of material fact, meaning that the evidence is so clear that a reasonable jury could only rule in their favor. The party requests the court to make a decision based on the submitted evidence, such as documents and affidavits. If the court grants summary judgment, it can lead to a quicker resolution of the case, saving time and resources for both parties. However, if the court finds that there are indeed factual disputes, the case will proceed to trial for a full examination of the evidence.