§ 2A:53A-55 — Cause of action, dismissal, whole, part.

7. Dismissal of cause of action in whole or part. a. In ruling on an order to show cause under section 3 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-51), the court shall dismiss with prejudice a cause of action, or part of a cause of action, if: (1) the moving party established under subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-50) that this act applies; (2) the responding party fails to establish under subsection c. of section 2 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-50) that this act does not apply; and (3) either: (a) the responding party fails to establish a prima facie case as to each essential element of any cause of action in the complaint; or (b) the moving party establishes that: (i) the responding party failed to state a cause of action upon which relief can be granted; or (ii) there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the cause of action or part of the cause of action. b. A voluntary dismissal without prejudice of a responding party's cause of action, or part of a cause of action, that is the subject of an order to show cause under section 3 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-51) does not affect a moving party's right to obtain a ruling on the order to show cause and seek costs, attorney's fees, and expenses under section 10 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-58). c. A voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a responding's party cause of action, or part of a cause of action, that is the subject of an order to show cause under section 3 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-51) establishes for the purpose of section 10 of P.L.2023, c.155 (C.2A:53A-58) that the moving party prevailed on the motion. L.2023, c.155, s.7.