A motion asking a court to expunge — erase, seal or remove — a record or a filing. The term is used for three different things: clearing criminal-history records, removing a recorded lis pendens (notice of pending action) from a property’s title, and striking improper material from a court file.
A motion asking the court to cancel (vacate) a judgment it has entered. In federal court there is no single “motion to vacate” rule; the right rule depends on how much time has passed and why the judgment is being challenged.
A filing that ends all or part of a case at the plaintiff’s request. In federal court it takes the form of a notice of dismissal, a stipulation of dismissal or a motion for a dismissal order; some state courts, such as California, use a court form titled “Request for Dismissal.”
A request asking the court to issue an order to show cause — an order directing a party or person to appear and explain why the court should not take a stated action, such as holding them in contempt for disobeying an order, granting an injunction or imposing sanctions.
A request asking the judge to hold a conference to discuss the progress of the case, scheduling, or problems that need the court’s attention.
The appellant’s order to the court reporter for a transcript of the parts of the proceedings needed for the appeal.
A request for permission to file a document, or part of one, so that it is kept out of the public court record.
A request asking the clerk, rather than the judge, to enter a default judgment when the claim is for a sum certain or a sum that can be made certain by computation.
In a case tried without a jury, the written findings of fact and conclusions of law the court must make, and a party’s motion asking the court to amend or add to them.
Written requests asking the court to give the jury specific instructions on the law that applies to the case.
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