Opinion ID: 475496
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Triable Issues of Fact and Lack of Adequate Discovery

Text: 30
31 Summary judgment is proper if the moving party has demonstrated the absence of any issue of material fact and the right to judgment as a matter of law. Jablon v. Dean Witter & Co., 614 F.2d 677, 682 (9th Cir.1980) (citing Poller v. Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., 368 U.S. 464, 82 S.Ct. 486, 7 L.Ed.2d 458 (1962); Mutual Fund Investors, Inc. v. Putnam Management Co., 553 F.2d 620 (9th Cir.1977)). The Academies argue that triable issues of fact preclude summary judgment. The record, however, contains undisputed facts which establish that the modifications were material and prejudicial. In addition, as noted supra, the record establishes that the modifications were made without Reliance's knowledge or consent. These undisputed facts support the conclusion that the contract modifications exonerated Reliance, that no triable issue remained, and that the district court properly granted summary judgment.
32 The Academies' final argument is that the district court deprived them of sufficient opportunity for discovery. [A] district [court] has wide latitude in controlling discovery, and its ruling will not be overturned in the absence of a clear abuse of discretion. Foster v. Arcata Associates, 772 F.2d 1453, 1467 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 106 S.Ct. 1267, 92 L.Ed.2d ---- (1986). When the party has not had a prior opportunity for discovery, after moving for discovery under Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(f), the court should allow the party time for discovery. Program Engineering, Inc. v. Triangle Publications, 634 F.2d 1188, 1193 (9th Cir.1980). The Academies, however, could have pursued discovery during the six months from the filing of Reliance's answer and four months from the court's order providing for discovery. 4 They chose not to do so. From the time Reliance filed its initial answer, the Academies knew that Reliance would need to prove the modifications were made without its consent. They had ample opportunity for discovery. Moreover, it is unlikely that any evidence would be developed from the depositions of Coates or Dolton which would tend to prove that Reliance had knowledge of or consented to any of the modifications of the contract. 5 Under the circumstances, the district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to reopen discovery.