This is a remedy available to a litigant who satisfies the court that:

The other party has no reasonable prospect of successfully bringing or defending the claim, and
There is no other compelling reason why the case should not be disposed of at a trial.

Additionally, the court has a separate power to strike out a claim or defence if it discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing or defending the claim.

The application is made on notice. The applicant is required to serve witness statement evidence and supporting documents on the other party who is able to respond. The decision is given at a normally short hearing and, if successful, saves the claimant the task and expense of preparing for and attending a full trial.

The procedure is intended for plain and straightforward circumstances; complication in any aspect will tend to indicate that the test above is not satisfied. In that case the court will manage the dispute through to trial.