Opinion ID: 2685188
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: defer considering the motion or deny it;

Text: (2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take discovery; or (3) issue any other appropriate order. “When a party files an affidavit under Rule 56[(d]) for additional discovery time, the party invokes the trial court’s discretion. Thus, unless the trial court abuses its discretion, its determination will not be disturbed.” Patty Precision v. Brown & Sharpe Mfg. Co., 742 F.2d 1260, 1264 (10th Cir. 1984). By not ruling on the Rule 56(f) request for approximately seven months, the district court effectively deferred ruling on the summary judgment motion and allowed time for the requested discovery. The court, however, did not formally address the Rule 56(f) request until it granted summary judgment. Two of this court’s opinions inform our decision as to whether the district court thus abused its discretion. In Patty Precision, defendants simultaneously filed motions for summary judgment and a protective order, and plaintiff responded under Rule 56(f). 742 F.2d -6- at 1263. Although the motions were pending for more than two years, plaintiff conducted no discovery because defendants indicated that they would not participate while their motion for a protective order was pending. Id. at 1264. The district court granted summary judgment without ruling on the Rule 56(f) request. Id. On appeal,