Opinion ID: 2512015
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: standard of review

Text: It has long been established: ``Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The trial court is required to resolve all facts and inferences which may reasonably be drawn from the evidence in favor of the party against whom the ruling is sought. When opposing a motion for summary judgment, an adverse party must come forward with evidence to establish a dispute as to a material fact. In order to preclude summary judgment, the facts subject to the dispute must be material to the conclusive issues in the case. On appeal, we apply the same rules and where we find reasonable minds could differ as to the conclusions drawn from the evidence, summary judgment must be denied.' [Citation omitted.]' Troutman v. Curtis, 286 Kan. 452, 454-55, 185 P.3d 930 (2008) (quoting Nungesser v. Bryant, 283 Kan. 550, 566, 153 P.3d 1277 [2007]). Furthermore, K.S.A.2009 Supp. 60-256(f) provides the district court with discretion to deny a motion for summary judgment when discovery is needed. See Troutman, 286 Kan. at 458-59, 185 P.3d 930. An appellate court's standard of review of such a district court decision is for abuse of discretion. Troutman, 286 Kan. at 459, 185 P.3d 930. The summary judgment before us involves the interpretation and legal effect of a written instrument. These are matters of law, and an appellate court exercises unlimited review of a district judge's decision on the content and consequences of a written contract. City of Arkansas City v. Bruton, 284 Kan. 815, 828-29, 166 P.3d 992 (2007). The primary rule for interpreting written contracts is to ascertain the parties' intent. If the terms of the contract are clear, the intent of the parties is to be determined from the language of the contract without applying rules of construction. Anderson v. Dillard's, Inc., 283 Kan. 432, 436, 153 P.3d 550 (2007). An interpretation of a contractual provision should not be reached merely by isolating one particular sentence or provision, but by construing and considering the entire instrument from its four corners. The law favors reasonable interpretations, and results which vitiate the purpose of the terms of the agreement to an absurdity should be avoided. [Citation omitted.] Johnson County Bank v. Ross, 28 Kan. App.2d 8, 10, 13 P.3d 351 (2000).