Opinion ID: 1598112
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 9. The inquiry in this case is a question of law. Specifically, it is for the Court to decide whether defendants are entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law because there is no genuine issue of material fact. The court may only determine whether there are issues to be tried.... Brown v. Credit Ctr., Inc., 444 So.2d 358 (Miss.1983)(emphasis in original & quoting Miss. R. Civ. P. 56 cmt.). A de novo standard of review is used in analyzing a trial court's grant of a summary judgment. Baptiste v. Jitney Jungle Stores of Am., Inc., 651 So.2d 1063, 1065 (Miss.1995) (citing Short v. Columbus Rubber & Gasket Co., 535 So.2d 61, 63 (Miss.1988)). A motion for summary judgment should be granted only when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Miss. R. Civ. P. 56(c). To prevent summary judgment, the non-moving party must establish a genuine issue of material fact by means allowable under the rule. Baptiste, 651 So.2d at 1065 (citing Lyle v. Mladinich 584 So.2d 397, 398 (Miss.1991)).