Under what conditions can a court dismiss a party's pleading for want of prosecution?

The correct answer focuses on a specific timeframe and procedural rule within New York civil practice regarding dismissals for want of prosecution. A court can dismiss a party's pleading if issues have been joined and one year has passed since that joinder. This rule is designed to encourage parties to actively pursue their cases and avoid unnecessary delays in the judicial process.

When issues are joined, it means that the parties have exchanged their initial pleadings and established the points of contention that will be addressed in the case. If there is no activity for a full year after this point, the court may take the initiative to dismiss the case to manage its docket effectively and ensure that pending matters move forward.

The other propositions do not capture the specific requirement of the timeframe after issues have been joined. For instance, the first option limits the inaction period to two years, which does not align with the established rule of one year after joinder. Meanwhile, while a motion for dismissal can indeed prompt the court's action, it is not an automatic basis for dismissal; thus, a dismissal could occur without such a motion if the stipulated conditions are met. Finally, while case management is crucial, it must align with the specific framework of time limitations reflected in the rules governing dismissal for want