Movant

What movant means

Put simply, movant is part of the working vocabulary of a civil case. The short definition above covers the usual meaning. Still, a specific rule, statute or contract can give it a narrower meaning. For that reason, check how it is used in your own documents.

Where movant comes up

For example, the term appears in these procedures:

• Motions: Form and Requirements (Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(b)): the general rules every written motion must follow.

How to research the term

First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses movant in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.

You can read the official rule text online for free.

Related legal terms

• Motion: a request asking the court for an order. In federal court, motions must generally be in writing, state the grounds with particularity and state the relief sought.
• Nonmovant: the party responding to a motion.
• Order: a written direction or ruling by the court.
• Local rules: rules adopted by an individual court that supplement the general rules of procedure.
• Hearing: a proceeding before a judge to consider a motion or other matter.

Why precise terms matter

Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.