Opinion ID: 2637915
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: [¶ 8] A summary judgment is affirmed only when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. W.R.C.P. 56(c). Summary judgment is inappropriate to resolve factual disputes, so this Court does not weigh disputed evidence. The party who opposed the motion is given the benefit of any reasonable doubt, and inferences drawn from the affidavits, depositions, and exhibits presented as underlying facts are viewed in the light most favorable to that party. An issue of material fact which would preclude summary judgment is found when a disputed fact, if proven, would establish or refute one of the essential elements of a cause of action or a defense which has been asserted; this Court affords no deference to the district court's decisions on issues of law. Wilder v. Cody Country Chamber of Commerce, 868 P.2d 211, 216 (Wyo.1994).