The judgment in a lawsuit is the court’s final determination of the rights and obligations of the parties regarding the disputed matters. It describes the relief or recovery that one party should have from the other—whether in the form of money, ownership of disputed assets, or injunctive relief that requires a party to take a certain action (make mortgage payments or sell a piece of real or personal property) or refrain from taking an certain action (contacting another person by phone or email or coming within 100 feet of them).

The date on which the court signs the judgment usually triggers or begins the running of postjudgment deadlines such as for filing a notice of appeal of the judgment.

In New York, a judgment in a lawsuit is the court's final decision on the matters in dispute between the parties. It establishes the rights and obligations of each party and specifies the type of relief granted, which may include monetary compensation, transfer of asset ownership, or injunctive relief—orders to do or not do specific actions. The judgment is legally binding and enforceable. The date the judgment is signed by the court is critical as it starts the clock on various post-judgment deadlines. For instance, in New York, a party typically has 30 days from the service of the notice of entry of the judgment to file a notice of appeal. This time frame is crucial for any party considering an appeal, as missing this deadline can forfeit the right to appeal the court's decision. It is important for parties to be aware of these deadlines and to act promptly if they wish to challenge the judgment.