Opinion ID: 884878
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Did the District Court err by denying Respondent's motion for summary judgment?

Text: ¶ 31 Summary judgment is proper when no genuine issues of material fact exist and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Ross v. City of Great Falls, 1998 MT 276, ¶ 9, 291 Mont. 377, ¶ 9, 967 P.2d 1103,¶ 9 (citing Ash Grove Cement Co. v. Jefferson County (1997), 283 Mont. 486, 491, 943 P.2d 85, 88). See also Rule 56(c), M.R.Civ.P. We review a district court's grant of summary judgment de novo, applying the same Rule 56(c), M.R.Civ.P. criteria as the district court. Ash Grove Cement Co., 283 Mont. at 491, 943 P.2d at 88. ¶ 32 In the usual summary judgment case, we first determine whether the moving party met its burden of establishing both the absence of genuine issues of material fact and entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. Ross, ¶ 10. In this case, the parties agree on the material facts. The question before this Court is whether the District Court correctly concluded that Respondent was not entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law. We review a district court's conclusions of law to determine whether the interpretation of the law is correct. Ross, ¶ 10. ¶ 33 Respondent's Motion for Summary Judgment raised two issues; 1) whether Appellant was required by the contract to take and test retain samples of the asphalt cement for properties other than penetration, before assessing price reductions against Respondent, and; 2) whether Appellant conducted proper sampling and used the proper formula for assessing price reductions. ¶ 34 The parties did not dispute that Appellant did not conduct retain sampling prior to assessing price reductions against Respondent. The parties likewise, did not dispute that the material (PMAC) and testing at issue is asphalt cement being tested for other than penetration. The contract between the parties required sampling and testing in accordance with the contract provisions. Those provisions do not require Appellant to take retain samples prior to assessing price reductions. It is not clear from the evidence which was before the District Court at the time it ruled on Respondent's motion for summary judgment, whether Appellant conducted proper sampling and used the proper formula for assessing price reductions under the contract. Therefore, we determine that the District Court did not err by denying Respondent's motion for summary judgment.