Opinion ID: 1956072
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of affidavits

Text: Each affidavit offered by the appellees was sworn to be true to the best of [the affiant's] knowledge and belief. Affidavits in support of a motion for summary judgment that are solely based upon information and belief are insufficient. M.R. Civ.P. 56(e); 2 Field, McKusick & Wroth, Maine Civil Practice 2d, § 56.5. Affidavits made according to information and belief may be considered, however, if the affidavit otherwise shows that it was made from personal knowledge. Steeves v. Irwin, Me., 233 A.2d 126, 130 (1967); Field, McKusick & Wroth, supra. Within each of appellees' affidavits the affiant declared that he had personal knowledge of each fact stated within the affidavit. Moreover, it is apparent that an Assistant Attorney General has personal knowledge of an investigation for which he was responsible. Obviously, each reporter must also have personal knowledge of his own activities with respect to investigating and seeking confirmation of facts and of his state of mind regarding the truth or falsity of an article he wrote. The Superior Court justice correctly considered, therefore, the affidavits presented by the appellees in support of their motion for summary judgment.