Opinion ID: 2633983
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Opportunity to Respond

Text: [¶14] Appellants contend that they were not afforded an opportunity to respond to Ding Masters' motion for summary judgment. They also assert that our prior decisions interpreting W.R.C.P. 56 required the district court to hold a hearing or to inform Appellants, before ruling, that no hearing would be held. Interpretation of procedural rules is a question of law that we review de novo. Olsen v. State, 2003 WY 46, ¶ 203, 67 P.3d 536, 606 (Wyo. 2003). If the district court is not required to hold a hearing, we review its decision to hold a hearing for abuse of discretion. See Best v. State, 769 P.2d 385, 389 (Wyo. 1989). [¶15] Appellants primarily rely upon our decision in Lee v. Board of County Comm'rs of the County of Sweetwater, 644 P.2d 189 (Wyo. 1982). Appellants quote the following language: We hold here . . . that before motions for summary judgment can be properly determined, the adverse party must, 1) be advised either by court rule or order that a motion for summary judgment will be determined without oral hearing, and 2) be given notice of a cutoff date for filing materials in opposition to a motion for summary judgment. Lee, 644 P.2d at 190 (emphasis added). The point of this holding is that a non-moving party must be afforded a fair opportunity to present evidence and arguments in opposition to the summary judgment motion. E.g., McKennan v. Newman, 843 P.2d 602, 604-05 (Wyo. 1992); Cranston v. Weston County Weed and Pest Bd., 826 P.2d 251, 254 (Wyo. 1992); see Geear v. Boulder Community Hosp., 844 F.2d 764, 766 (10th Cir. 1988). In this case, the general time rules found in W.R.C.P. 6(c) provide both a set time period for Appellants to respond to Ding Masters' motion for summary judgment and notice that the motion may be decided without a hearing. The version of W.R.C.P. 6(c) in effect at the time of these proceedings provided: (1) Unless these rules or an order of the court establish time limitations other than those contained herein, all motions, . . . together with supporting affidavits, if any, shall be served at least 10 days before the hearing on the motion. . . . [A] party affected by the motion may serve a response, together with affidavits, if any, at least three days prior to the hearing on the motion or within 20 days after service of the motion, whichever is earlier. Unless the court by order permits service at some other time, the moving party may serve a reply, if any, at least one day prior to the hearing on the motion or within 15 days after service of the response, whichever is earlier. Unless the court otherwise orders, any party may serve supplemental memoranda or rebuttal affidavits at least one day prior to the hearing on the motion. (2) A request for hearing may be served by the moving party or any party affected by the motion within 30 days after service of the motion. Absent a timely request for hearing the court may, in its discretion, determine the motion without a hearing. (Emphasis added.) The rule provides a 20-day period for the non-moving party to file a response in opposition to the motion. Appellants did not file a response in opposition to the motion within the 20-day time provided. Appellants were also notified by W.R.C.P. 6(c)(2) that the district court may, in its discretion, determine the motion without a hearing. In addition, W.R.C.P. 56(e) requires that in the absence of a response from the non-moving party, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party. In light of Appellants' failure to respond to Ding Masters' motion for summary judgment, the district court did not abuse its discretion. [5] [¶16] Appellants also contend that their Motion to Continue Motion for Summary Judgment Hearing and to Strike Affidavits constituted a response for the purpose of allowing supplementation at least one day prior to a hearing pursuant to W.R.C.P. 6(c)(1). We do not agree. Rule 56 contemplates two actions that constitute responses. First, the adverse party's response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. W.R.C.P. 56(e). Second, Rule 56(f) allows an opposing party to show, by affidavit, the reasons that the party is unable to present opposing evidence. In sum: [W]hen the movant has met the initial burden required for the granting of a summary judgment, the opposing party either must establish a genuine issue for trial under Rule 56(e) or explain why he cannot yet do so under Rule 56(f). Wright, Miller, & Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure : Civil 3d § 2740, at 399 (1998) (footnotes omitted). [¶17] Appellants in this case did neither. Their motion set out no specific facts supported by affidavits or other evidence. Indeed, their motion did not respond in any way to the substance of Ding Masters' summary judgment motion. Appellants cite no authority providing any reason that we should regard their motion as a response. There was therefore nothing to supplement pursuant to W.R.C.P. 6(c)(1). [¶18] To summarize our procedural analysis, W.R.C.P. 6(c) notified Appellants that they must respond to the summary judgment motion within 20 days. Appellants failed to do so. The rule notified Appellants that the district court could, in its discretion, rule on the motion without a hearing. Furthermore, W.R.C.P. 56(e) required that, in the absence of a response from the non-moving party, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the adverse party. The district court did not abuse its discretion in determining the motion without a hearing.