Opinion ID: 2519712
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review for summary process

Text: ¶ 9 Summary process is a procedural pretrial device for the prompt and efficient disposition of an action sans forensic combat. It is applied where neither the material facts nor any inferences that may be drawn from undisputed facts are in dispute, and the law favors the movant's claim or liability-defeating defense. [4] It is not the purpose of summary process to substitute a trial by affidavit for one by jury. Rather, its goal is to afford a method of summarily terminating a case (or eliminating from trial some of its issues on the merits of a claim or defense) where only questions of law remain. [5] Summary relief issues stand before us for de novo review in which this court's scrutiny of the entire record is pursued independently and without deference to the trial court's resolution. [6]