Opinion ID: 1177843
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: cross motions for summary judgment

Text: Before turning to a discussion of the substantive issues presented in this appeal, we will first address certain procedural questions which were raised in the course of oral argument. It is initially noted that both Committee and Cheqer filed motions for summary judgment. This court has previously taken the position that where both parties to an action file such cross motions for summary judgment, they may in effect be held to have stipulated that there are no genuine issues as to any material fact remaining for trial. In City of Las Vegas v. Cragin Industries, 86 Nev. 933, 478 P.2d 585 (1970), we stated: Because all the parties moved for summary judgment, the trial court was at liberty to find that the parties had conceded that there remained no material question of fact and that the case could be determined on a question of law. Although the trial court did not specifically find that there remained no genuine issue of fact, the appellants, in their motions for summary judgment, both alleged that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and they are now precluded from changing their positions upon this appeal. [Citations omitted.] (Emphasis added.) This broad language arguably authorized the trial court's conclusion that both Cheqer and Trustees had conceded there remained no genuine issues as to any material fact when they filed their cross motions for summary judgment. It appears, however, that the language set forth in Cragin is overly broad. A trial court confronted with cross motions for summary judgment may be at liberty in most circumstances to determine that the parties have thereby conceded no material issues of fact remain. This court, however, did not intend Cragin to establish the proposition that the mere filing of cross motions for summary judgment automatically relieves the trial court of its obligation of determining whether there actually remains any genuine issue of fact for trial. The instant case provides an excellent example of a situation in which the mere filing of cross motions for summary judgment did not indicate the parties were conceding there were no material issues of fact remaining. Committee and Cheqer were basing their respective motions for summary judgment on two entirely different theories of the case. The record indicates that Committee's motion was premised on its belief that NRS 608.150 mandated it recover the fringe benefits for work performed on Cheqer's project. Cheqer's motion for summary judgment, on the other hand, was based on its contention that Committee's breach of the collective bargaining agreement with Taylor relieved it of all obligations under the agreement, and alternatively, that Committee was estopped from enforcing any obligation under that agreement by its failure to give timely notice of Taylor's failure to pay the benefits. The parties were bringing their cross motions for summary judgment on two separate legal theories, and relying on two separate sets of facts to support those theories. In such a situation, a trial court is not relieved of its responsibility to examine the record to see if any material issues of fact remain to be tried. If no genuine issues of fact exist, summary judgment is appropriate. But if genuine issues of fact remain, the cause must go forward to trial. See Bricklayers, Masons & Plasters International Union of America v. Stuart Plastering Company, Inc., 512 F.2d 1017 (5th Cir.1975); Accord, Heyman v. Commerce and Industry Insurance Co., 524 F.2d 1317 (2nd Cir.1975); Schlytter v. Baker, 580 F.2d 848 (5th Cir.1978); Eby v. Reb Realty, Inc., 495 F.2d 646 (9th Cir.1974). The preceding discussion is of more than academic interest in the instant case. The record on appeal demonstrates there appear to be material questions of fact concerning Cheqer's alternative ground for its motion for summary judgment, i.e., that Committee was estopped from enforcing any obligation under the collective bargaining agreement by its failure to give timely notice of Taylor's failure to pay the benefits. In an affidavit filed in support of Cheqer's opposition to Committee's motion for summary judgment and Cheqer's counter motion for summary judgment, Cheqer's Vice President stated he was aware of the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the Painters and Decorator's Union and Taylor, and assumed Committee would immediately prevent union members from working for Taylor should Taylor become delinquent on fringe benefit contributions. Further, Cheqer's Vice President stated that had Cheqer been aware of Taylor's default, it would have required Taylor to make good the payments or would have immediately terminated its contract with the subcontractor. Finally, Cheqer's Vice President maintained Cheqer relied to its detriment on the actions of Committee, inasmuch as Committee failed to advise Cheqer of Taylor's default and failed to require Taylor to fulfill its obligations under the collective bargaining agreement.