Summary judgment may be had under the following conditions and circumstances:
Rule 1.981.On what claims
Division IX: Trial and Judgment · Last amended November 14, 2017 · Last verified July 15, 2026
In one sentenceRule 1.981, Iowa's summary judgment rule, lets either side move for judgment on all or part of a claim, but the motion must be filed at least 60 days before trial, any resistance is due within 15 days, and the court grants judgment only when the record shows no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Full Text of Rule 1.981
(1) For claimant. A party seeking to recover upon a claim, counterclaim, cross-petition or cross- claim or to obtain a declaratory judgment may, at any time after the appearance day or after the filing of a motion for summary judgment by the adverse party, move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in that party's favor upon all or any part thereof.
(2) For defending party. A party against whom a claim, counterclaim, cross-petition or cross-claim is asserted or a declaratory judgment is sought may, at any time, move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in that party's favor as to all or any part thereof.
(3) Motion and proceedings thereon. The motion shall be filed not less than 60 days prior to the date the case is set for trial, unless otherwise ordered by the court. Any party resisting the motion shall file a resistance within 15 days, unless otherwise ordered by the court, from the time when a copy of the motion has been served. The resistance shall include a statement of disputed facts, if any, and a memorandum of authorities supporting the resistance. If affidavits supporting the resistance are filed, they must be filed with the resistance. Notwithstanding the provisions of rules 1.431 and 1.435, the time fixed for hearing or nonoral submission shall be not less than 20 days after the filing of the motion, unless a shorter time is ordered by the court. The judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages.
(4) Case not fully adjudicated on motion. If on motion under this rule judgment is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the relief asked and a trial is necessary, the court at the hearing of the motion, by examining the pleadings and the evidence before it and by interrogating counsel, shall if practicable ascertain what material facts exist without substantial controversy and what material facts are actually and in good faith controverted. It shall thereupon make an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy, including the extent to which the amount of damages or other relief is not in controversy, and directing such further proceedings in the action as are just. Upon the trial of the action the facts so specified shall be deemed established, and the trial shall be conducted accordingly.
(5) Form of affidavits; further testimony; defense required. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. Sworn or certified copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached thereto or filed therewith. The court may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions, answers to interrogatories, further affidavits, or oral testimony. When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials in the pleadings, but the response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If the adverse party does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered.
(6) When affidavits are unavailable. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that the party for reasons stated cannot present by affidavit facts essential to justify the opposition, the court may refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.
(7) Affidavits made in bad faith. Should it appear to the satisfaction of the court at any time that any of the affidavits presented pursuant to this rule are presented in bad faith or solely for the purpose of delay, the court shall forthwith order the party employing them to pay to the other party the amount of the reasonable expenses which the filing of the affidavits caused that party to incur, including reasonable attorney's fees, and any offending party or attorney may be adjudged guilty of contempt.
(8) Supporting statement and memorandum. Upon any motion for summary judgment pursuant to this rule, there shall be annexed to the motion a separate, short and concise statement of the material facts as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue to be tried, including specific reference to those parts of the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions on file and affidavits which support such contentions and a memorandum of authorities.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 1.981 opens summary judgment to both sides of a claim, counterclaim, cross-petition, cross-claim, or request for declaratory judgment. A party seeking to recover may move at any time after the appearance day, or after the adverse party moves for summary judgment; a party defending against the claim may move at any time. Either can move with or without supporting affidavits, and either can target the whole claim or any part of it.
Timing is exacting. The motion must be filed at least 60 days before the trial date, unless the court orders otherwise. Any resistance is due within 15 days of being served with the motion, unless the court sets a different deadline, and the resistance must include a statement of disputed facts, if any, and a memorandum of authorities, with any supporting affidavits filed along with it. The hearing or non-oral submission is set no less than 20 days after the motion is filed, unless the court shortens that. The standard for granting the motion looks at the whole record — pleadings, depositions, interrogatory answers, admissions, and affidavits — and judgment follows only where that record shows no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The court can even grant judgment on liability alone, as an interlocutory ruling, while the amount of damages remains in genuine dispute for trial.
When a motion does not resolve the whole case, Rule 1.981(4) has the court sort out which material facts are truly undisputed and issue an order narrowing what is left for trial; those specified facts are then treated as established when the case is tried. Affidavits supporting or opposing the motion must rest on personal knowledge and set out facts that would be admissible in evidence, with certified copies of any referenced papers attached. A party resisting the motion cannot rest on the pleadings alone — the response must set out specific facts showing a genuine issue for trial, or summary judgment may be entered against that party. A party who cannot yet get the needed facts into affidavit form can ask the court for a continuance instead of an outright denial of the motion.
The rule also polices bad faith. Affidavits filed in bad faith, or solely to cause delay, expose the offending party to an order to pay the other side's reasonable expenses caused by the affidavits, including attorney's fees, and can lead to a contempt finding against the party or attorney responsible. Every motion under this rule must also come with a separate, short statement of the material facts the movant contends are not in dispute, with specific references to the record, along with a supporting memorandum of authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon before trial must a summary judgment motion be filed in Iowa?
Rule 1.981(3) requires it to be filed at least 60 days before the trial date, unless the court orders otherwise.
How long do I have to respond to a summary judgment motion in Iowa?
15 days after being served with the motion, unless the court sets a different deadline. The resistance must include a statement of any disputed facts and a memorandum of authorities.
What standard does an Iowa court apply in deciding a summary judgment motion?
Judgment is granted only if the record — pleadings, depositions, interrogatory answers, admissions, and any affidavits — shows no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Can an Iowa court grant summary judgment on liability but leave damages for trial?
Yes. Rule 1.981(3) allows an interlocutory summary judgment on liability alone even though the amount of damages remains in genuine dispute.
What happens if I file affidavits in bad faith just to delay a summary judgment motion?
The court must order you to pay the other party's reasonable expenses caused by the affidavits, including attorney's fees, and you, or your attorney, can be held in contempt.
Source & verification. Rule text and the Comment are
reproduced verbatim from the Iowa Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Iowa Supreme Court. Last verified July 15, 2026.
· Official source
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