What type of judgment is granted to a movant when they are entitled to prevail as a matter of law?

When a movant is entitled to prevail as a matter of law, the correct term is summary judgment. This legal concept is applied in civil litigation when there is no genuine dispute of material fact, allowing the court to make a decision based solely on the law. A summary judgment is typically sought to expedite the legal process, ensuring that cases that do not require a trial can be resolved more efficiently.

In summary judgment, the party requesting it must show that the evidence presented—such as affidavits, deposition transcripts, and documents—establishes that there are no significant factual disputes for a jury or judge to resolve. If the court grants a summary judgment, it legally rules in favor of the movant, effectively concluding the matter without the need for a trial.

The other terms in the question represent distinct legal concepts. For instance, preliminary judgment refers to an initial ruling that may be provisional and subject to further review, while default judgment occurs when one party fails to respond to a legal action, and judicial review pertains to the court's review of legislative or administrative actions. Each of these carries a different context and application than summary judgment.