DISMISSAL

dismissal,n.1. Termination of an action or claim without further hearing, esp. before the trial

of   the  issues  involved.  [Cases:  Federal  Civil  Procedure    1691–1842;  Pretrial  Procedure

501–629. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit §§ 2–47, 49–73.]

dismissal  agreed.A  court’s  dismissal  of  a  lawsuit  with  the  acquiescence  of  all  parties.  •

Among other possibilities, the parties may have settled out of court or chosen to have their dispute

arbitrated or mediated. — Also termed agreed dismissal.

dismissal for failure to prosecute.See dismissal for want of prosecution.

dismissal for lack of prosecution.See dismissal for want of prosecution.[Blacks Law 8th]

dismissal  for  want  of  equity.A  court’s  dismissal  of  a  lawsuit  on  substantive,  rather  than

procedural, grounds, usu. because the plaintiff’s allegations are found to be untrue or because the

plaintiff’s pleading does not state an adequate claim. [Cases: Pretrial Procedure    552, 622. C.J.S.

Dismissal and Nonsuit § 50.]

dismissal  for  want  of  prosecution.A  court’s  dismissal  of  a  lawsuit because  the  plaintiff  has

failed to pursue the case diligently toward completion. — Abbr. DWOP. — Also termed dismissal

for  failure  to  prosecute;  dismissal  for  lack  of  prosecution.  [Cases:  Criminal  Law    303.30(1);

Federal Civil Procedure    1758; Pretrial Procedure    581–602. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit §§ 43,

51, 67–73.]

dismissal  without  prejudice.A  dismissal  that  does  not  bar  the  plaintiff  from  refiling  the

lawsuit within the applicable limitations period. [Cases:  Federal Civil Procedure    1713, 1837.1;

Pretrial Procedure    690. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit § 80.]

dismissal  with  prejudice.A  dismissal,  usu.  after  an  adjudication  on  the  merits,  barring  the

plaintiff from prosecuting any later lawsuit on the same claim. • If, after a dismissal with prejudice,

the  plaintiff  files  a  later  suit  on  the  same  claim,  the  defendant  in  the  later  suit  can  assert  the defense of res judicata (claim preclusion). See RES JUDICATA. [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure

1713, 1837.1; Pretrial Procedure    690. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit § 80.]

involuntary dismissal.A court’s dismissal of a lawsuit because the plaintiff failed to prosecute

or  failed  to  comply  with  a  procedural rule  or  court  order.  Fed.  R. Civ.  P.  41(b). [Cases:  Federal

Civil Procedure    1721–1842; Pretrial Procedure    551–602. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit §§ 43,

49–73.]

voluntary  dismissal.A  plaintiff’s  dismissal  of  a  lawsuit  at  the  plaintiff’s  own  request  or  by

stipulation of all the parties. Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a). [Cases: Federal Civil Procedure    1691–1715;

Pretrial Procedure    501–520. C.J.S. Dismissal and Nonsuit §§ 2–41, 47.]

2.  A  release  or  discharge  from  employment.  See  DISCHARGE(7).  [Cases:  Master  and

Servant    31. C.J.S. Employer–Employee Relationship § 52.]

dismissal  for  cause.A  dismissal  of  a  contract  employee  for  a  reason  that  the  law  or  public

policy has recognized as sufficient to warrant the employee’s removal. [Cases: Master and Servant

30(1.5). C.J.S. Employer–Employee Relationship §§ 35, 38–40, 42–43, 56, 60.]

3.Military  law.  A  court-martial  punishment  for  an  officer,  commissioned  warrant  officer,

cadet,  or  midshipman,  consisting  of  separation  from  the  armed  services  with  dishonor.  •  A

dismissal  can  be  given  only  by  a  general  court-martial  and  is  considered  the  equivalent  of  a

dishonorable  discharge.  [Cases:  Armed  Services    48;  Military  Justice    1322.1.  C.J.S.  Armed

Services § 181; Military Justice §§ 384, 434.] — dismiss,vb. [Blacks Law 8th]