Opinion ID: 1427181
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Grant of Partial Summary Judgment to Seven Bar

Text: Young, in his first amended complaint, alleged that Seven Bar breached the lease agreement by: (1) failing to return the aircraft at the expiration of the lease contract; (2) failing to provide adequate security for the aircraft; (3) failing to provide proper insurance as required by the lease; and (4) failing to indemnify Young for his loss as required by the lease. The trial court, in granting Seven Bar partial summary judgment, found that Young's claims against Seven Bar were barred to the extent of his $71,900 recovery from Puritan. Young contends that the trial court erroneously construed the lease agreement, and that the court's construction of the agreement presupposes an ambiguity which creates a genuine issue of material fact. We disagree. Summary judgment is a remedy which should be used with caution. Cebolleta Land Grant ex rel. Board of Trustees v. Romero, 98 N.M. 1, 644 P.2d 515 (1982). When considering a motion for summary judgment, the trial court must give the party opposing the motion the benefit of all reasonable doubts in determining whether a genuine issue exists. Goodman v. Brock, 83 N.M. 789, 498 P.2d 676 (1972). However, only genuine issues of material fact preclude summary judgment. Id. ; NMSA 1978, Civ.P.R. 56(c) (Repl.Pamp. 1980). Disputed facts as to immaterial issues do not require reversal of a summary judgment. Oschwald v. Christie, 95 N.M. 251, 620 P.2d 1276 (1980). On appeal, no issues were raised as to the validity of the lease agreement in this case, or as to the general question of the enforceability of exculpatory clauses in bailment contracts. See Omni Aviation Managers, Inc. v. Buckley, 97 N.M. 477, 641 P.2d 508 (1982). Young relies entirely on the trial court's construction of the lease agreement in contending that material factual issues exist which preclude summary judgment. The question of whether a contract is ambiguous, so as to call for extrinsic evidence, is a matter of law for the court to decide. Young v. Thomas, 93 N.M. 677, 604 P.2d 370 (1979). The trial court's partial summary judgment to Seven Bar based on the court's construction of the lease makes it apparent that the court found the lease to be unambiguous. We agree, and hold that Young's contentions are insufficient to support a reversal of the summary judgment. See Spears v. Canon de Carnue Land Grant, 80 N.M. 766, 461 P.2d 415 (1969); Harris v. Four Hills Development Corp., 79 N.M. 370, 443 P.2d 863 (1968). The lease in this case contained provisions requiring both parties to insure the aircraft. The lease described the type and deductible amount of the insurance to be purchased, and further stated: Any liability from any occurrence [sic] or property damage to said aircraft which occurs while in the operation or possession of Lessee, which shall not be covered by insurance, shall be paid for by Lessee. (Emphasis added.) The record in this case supports the trial court's construction of the contract and the court's entry of summary judgment in favor of Seven Bar. Young's contention of the existence of a material issue of fact does not make it so. See Wisehart v. Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Co., 80 N.M. 251, 453 P.2d 771 (Ct. App.), cert. denied, 80 N.M. 234, 453 P.2d 597 (1969). The trial court did not err in entering summary judgment in favor of Seven Bar.