Which of the following best describes a motion for summary judgment?

A motion for summary judgment is fundamentally a request to decide a case without a trial. This type of motion is typically filed by one party who believes that the evidence presented is so compelling that there are no genuine disputes of material fact, making a trial unnecessary. This option correctly captures the essence of summary judgment, which allows a court to make a ruling based on the facts that are undisputed, applying the relevant law, thus streamlining the judicial process and saving time and resources for both the court and the parties involved.

Other options, while they may touch on legal procedures, do not accurately represent the function of a motion for summary judgment. Preventing a trial or re-evaluating a decision involves different legal mechanisms that do not directly relate to the summary judgment process. Similarly, requesting a jury trial is a distinct type of motion altogether, aimed at ensuring that the issues are resolved by a jury rather than solely by a judge.