Opinion ID: 1724205
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Summary Judgment Scope Of Review

Text: It is well settled that a motion for summary judgment challenges the legal sufficiency of all or part of an opponent's case. Webster v. Miss. Publishers Corp., 571 So.2d 946, 948-49 (Miss. 1990); Miss. Moving & Storage Co. v. Western Electric Co., Inc., 498 So.2d 340, 342 (Miss. 1986); Willis v. Miss. Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co., 481 So.2d 256, 258 (Miss. 1985); Brown v. Credit Center, Inc., 444 So.2d 358, 362 (Miss. 1984). The motion lies only where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact. A fact is material if it tends to resolve any of the issues properly raised by the parties. Webb v. Jackson, 583 So.2d 946, 949 (Miss. 1991); Mink v. Andrew Jackson Casualty Insurance Co., 537 So.2d 431, 433 (Miss. 1988) [quoting Miss. Road Supply v. Zurich American Insurance Co., 501 So.2d 412, 414 (Miss. 1987)]. The moving party takes the position that the opponent has no valid claim for relief or defense to the action as the case may be. Brown, 444 So.2d at 362. The evidence before the court must be viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and the non-moving party should be allowed every reasonable doubt. Webb, 583 So.2d at 949. Issues of facts sufficient to require denial of a summary judgment motion are obviously present where one party swears to one version of the matter in issue and another says the opposite. Foldes v. Hancock Bank, 554 So.2d 319, 321 (Miss. 1989) [quoting Clark v. Moore Memorial United Methodist Church, 538 So.2d 760, 762 (Miss. 1989)]. Generally, summary judgment should be denied where the record is incomplete regarding a material fact. Smith v. Sanders, 485 So.2d 1051, 1054-55 (Miss. 1986). On appeal, we conduct de novo review of the grant or denial of summary judgment. Webb, 583 So.2d at 949; Parham v. Moore, 552 So.2d 121, 122-23 (Miss. 1989); Short v. Columbus Rubber and Gasket Co., Inc., 535 So.2d 61, 63 (Miss. 1988).