Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Summary Judgment Motion Should Be Denied When There Are Material Issues of Fact

On a motion for summary judgment, it is well-settled that the movant must make a prima facie showing of entitlement to judgment as a matter of law, tendering sufficient evidence to demonstrate the absence of any material issues of fact. If the movant fails to make such a showing, then the motion must be denied, regardless of the sufficiency of the opposing papers. Once a showing has been made, the burden shifts to the party opposing the motion to produce evidentiary proof in admissible form sufficient to establish the existence of material issues of fact which require a trial of the action. See Zuckerman v. City of New York, 49 NY2d 557 [1980]; SRM Card Shop v. 1740 Broadway Associates, 2 AD3d 136 [1 Dept. 2003]; Romano v. St. Vincent’s Medical Center of Richmond, 178 AD2d 467 [2 Dept. 1991].

by Richard A. Klass, Esq.

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copyr. 2012 Richard A. Klass, Esq.
The firm's website: www.CourtStreetLaw.com
Richard A. Klass, Esq., maintains a law firm engaged in civil litigation at 16 Court Street, 28th Floor, Brooklyn Heights, New York.
He may be reached at (718) COURT-ST or e-ml to RichKlass@courtstreetlaw.com with any questions.
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