What is the role of the court when a defendant applies to dismiss a case for 'no case to answer'?

The role of the court when a defendant applies to dismiss a case for 'no case to answer' is to assess whether the plaintiff could support their claim. In this context, the court evaluates the evidence that has been presented by the plaintiff to determine if there is sufficient basis for the case to proceed. This process typically occurs after the plaintiff has completed their presentation of evidence in the trial.

This assessment is crucial because it helps to ensure that cases are only allowed to proceed to trial if there is a reasonable chance that the plaintiff's claims can be substantiated, thus preventing frivolous or unmeritorious lawsuits from advancing further. The court does not dismiss evidence outright nor does it decide the case in favor of the defendant without careful consideration of the presented claims. The decision focuses on whether the plaintiff has established a prima facie case that warrants further examination by either the judge or the jury.