Editing Demurrer (section)

==England and Wales==
'''In civil law''' a demurrer as such is no longer available under the current [[English law|law of England and Wales]]. However, two similar procedures may be employed where claims without merit need to be expeditiously dismissed .

First, an ''application on notice'' can be made for [[summary judgment]] in favor of the objecting party. Second, the court has power to strike out the [[Pleading (England and Wales)#Particulars of Claim|Particulars of Claim]].

To have a non-meritorious claim dismissed, however, the distinction between the two procedures is that when the Particulars of Claim are struck out, the claimant usually has another opportunity to file an amended Particulars of Claim, within, for example, four weeks, whereas Summary Judgment is final, though subject to appeal.

In criminal law demurrer is obsolete, although not formally abolished. It has been superseded by the more modern ''[[motion to quash]]'', usually a verbal application to the judge to rule the [[indictment]] null and void and to stop the case. (Demurrer was pleaded in writing).