Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.
United States Supreme Court
477 U.S. 242 (1986)
Relevant factsFree
Liberty Lobby (plaintiff) sued Anderson's (defendant) magazine for libel over articles portraying its founder as a fascist and racist; the appellate court held Liberty Lobby didn't need to satisfy the clear-and-convincing-evidence standard (the trial standard for proving actual malice) at the summary judgment stage, affirming summary judgment for Anderson on some claims while reversing it on others.
IssueFree
Whether, in deciding a motion for summary judgment, the court should consider the substantive evidentiary standard of proof that would apply at a trial on the merits.