Opinion ID: 1806358
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 8. The summary judgment motion is the only pretrial motion which allows the Court to go behind the pleadings and consider evidence such as admissions, answers to interrogatories, depositions, and affidavits. If this examination indicates that there is no genuine issue of material fact, and the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law, summary judgment is appropriate. Newell v. Hinton, 556 So.2d 1037, 1041-42 (Miss.1990). In reaching this determination, the court examines affidavits and other evidence to determine whether or not a triable issue exists. Our purpose is not to resolve factual issues. While the motion for summary judgment is designed to expose sham claims and defenses, it should not be used to circumvent a trial on the merits where there are genuine issues of material fact. M.R.C.P. 56 cmt. We employ a de novo standard of review of the lower court's grant of a summary judgment motion. Saucier v. Biloxi Reg'l Med. Ctr., 708 So.2d 1351, 1354 (Miss.1998) ( citing Townsend v. Estate of Gilbert, 616 So.2d 333, 335 (Miss.1993)). The evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the ... non-moving part[y] and [that party is] to be given the benefit of every reasonable doubt. Id. ( quoting Townsend, 616 So.2d at 335). Due to the public interest in protecting governmental officials and entities from the costs associated with defending civil lawsuits, summary judgment is especially applicable when governmental or official immunity is in issue. McQueen v. Williams, 587 So.2d 918, 924 (Miss. 1991).