Opinion ID: 1577535
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: In the present case, both parties appear to treat the defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiff's complaint as a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6), Ala. R. Civ. P. However, in reaching its decision to grant this motion, the trial court explicitly states that it reviewed evidentiary submissions. This Court has held: `When matters outside the pleadings are considered on a motion to dismiss, the motion is converted into a motion for summary judgment, Rule 12(b), Ala. R. Civ. P.; this is the case regardless of what the motion has been called or how it was treated by the trial court, Papastefan v. B & L Constr. Co., 356 So.2d 158 (Ala.1978); Thorne v. Odom, 349 So.2d 1126 (Ala.1977). Once matters outside the pleadings are considered, the requirements of Rule 56, [Ala. R. Civ. P.], become operable and the `moving party's burden changes and he is obliged to demonstrate that there exists no genuine issue as to any material fact and that he is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.' C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice & Procedure, Civil, § 1366 at 681 (1969). Boles v. Blackstock, 484 So.2d 1077, 1079 (Ala.1986).' Robinson v. Benton, 842 So.2d 631, 634 (Ala.2002) (quoting Hornsby v. Sessions, 703 So.2d 932, 937-38 (Ala.1997)). In Pittman v. United Toll Systems, LLC, 882 So.2d 842 (Ala.2003), this Court set forth the standard of review applicable to a ruling on a motion for a summary judgment, as follows: This Court's review of a summary judgment is de novo. `In reviewing the disposition of a motion for summary judgment, we utilize the same standard as the trial court in determining whether the evidence before [it] made out a genuine issue of material fact, Bussey v. John Deere Co., 531 So.2d 860, 862 (Ala. 1988), and whether the movant was entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Wright v. Wright, 654 So.2d 542 (Ala.1995); Rule 56(c), Ala. R. Civ. P. When the movant makes a prima facie showing that there is no genuine issue of material fact, the burden shifts to the nonmovant to present substantial evidence creating such an issue. Bass v. SouthTrust Bank of Baldwin County, 538 So.2d 794, 797-98 (Ala.1989). Evidence is substantial if it is of such weight and quality that fair-minded persons in the exercise of impartial judgment can reasonably infer the existence of the fact sought to be proved. Wright, 654 So.2d at 543 (quoting West v. Founders Life Assurance Co. of Florida, 547 So.2d 870, 871 (Ala.1989)). Our review is further subject to the caveat that this Court must review the record in a light most favorable to the nonmovant and must resolve all reasonable doubts against the movant. Wilma Corp. v. Fleming Foods of Alabama, Inc., 613 So.2d 359 (Ala. 1993) [overruled on other grounds, Bruce v. Cole, 854 So.2d 47 (Ala. 2003)]; Hanners v. Balfour Guthrie, Inc., 564 So.2d 412, 413 (Ala.1990).' 882 So.2d at 844 (quoting Hobson v. American Cast Iron Pipe Co., 690 So.2d 341, 344 (Ala.1997)).