What term refers to a request for action or a ruling to be made by a court?

The term that refers to a request for action or a ruling to be made by a court is "motion." When a party to a legal proceeding files a motion, they are formally asking the court to make a decision on a particular issue or to take specific action regarding the case. Motions can cover a wide range of requests, such as asking for a dismissal of a case, requesting a ruling on the admissibility of evidence, or seeking a summary judgment.

In legal practice, motions are essential procedural tools that allow parties to initiate the court's involvement to resolve specific disputes or questions without the need for a full trial. This function serves to streamline judicial proceedings and can significantly impact the outcome of a case based on the court's ruling on the motion.

The other terms provided—mistrial, non suit, and official record—do not encapsulate the same concept. A mistrial refers to an invalid trial due to a significant error or issue, a non suit involves a situation where a plaintiff fails to move forward with their case, and an official record pertains to the documented proceedings of a court case rather than a request for action.