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 Rhode Island, a judgment in a lawsuit represents the court's final decision on the legal disputes 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 relief could involve making payments, selling property, or adhering to restrictions on contact or proximity to another person. The date the judgment is signed by the court is critical as it starts the timeline for various postjudgment actions. For instance, it marks the beginning of the period within which a party must file a notice of appeal if they wish to challenge the court's decision. This timeframe is set by state statutes and rules of procedure, and missing these deadlines can result in the loss of the right to appeal or take other postjudgment actions.