[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Summary judgment before trial. That makes us all feel a lot better. How is Liability "established" before the trial begins? If you are saying that NY has a law that doesn't make sense, you may may be on to something. I'm glad I don't live there, and glad I don't have to hope such a judge understands what used to be our legal system.

it’s pretty clear that he would fit in well in the Sondergeriche, where the party always triumphs.

[joesbucks]

Gotta remember, this was a civil trial. Such judgements, while rare, do happen.

A motion for summary judgment can be filed by the plaintiff or defendant at any time after the defendant’s answer, and often is filed after discovery. Such motions ask a judge to decide all, or portions, of a case on two grounds: (1) that there are no disputes of fact that require a trial and (2) that the law clearly favors a specific decision. The parties’ briefs typically include the motion for summary judgment, the opposing party’s response, and a reply from the party that introduced the motion. If the judge grants the motion in whole, the case is over and judgment will be entered in favor of the party who moved for summary judgment. If the judge denies summary judgment, the entire case can go to trial. If the judge grants the motion in part, only those issues that remain in dispute will be tried.

[joesbucks]

Go to ending a case without trial.

https://www.uscourts.gov/statistics-reports/covering-civil-cases-journalists-guide

Since all states allow this practice, your state isn’t exempt from doing it.