Opinion ID: 1613188
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Right to Grant Summary Judgment When Sole Issue is Legal Effect of Document.

Text: Plaintiff contends it was improper for the trial court to construe the legal effect of plaintiff's document upon a motion for summary judgment. We determine that it is proper for a trial court to do this where, as here, there are no disputed questions of fact that would be material on the issue of the construction of a written document. No affidavits were filed, nor other proof offered, in opposition to defendant's motion for summary judgment. An examination of the material portions of the record consisting of plaintiff's complaint, the defendant's answer, and the affidavit of the deputy city clerk in support of defendant's motion for summary judgment to which is attached plaintiff's Notice of Claim for Damages and the minutes of the city council meeting at which the claim was disallowed, does not disclose a substantial issue of fact but one of law only, i.e., the legal effect of the document filed by the plaintiff. This court has repeatedly held that entry of summary judgment is proper where issues are legal rather than factual. [12] We can perceive of no valid reason why this principle is not applicable to a situation where the only issue is the effect to be given a written document.