(b) Because cases in the workers' compensation court are heard on an expedited basis, a motion for summary judgment may delay trial without any corresponding economies. The time and effort involved in preparing briefs and resolving the motion may be as great or greater than that expended in resolving the disputed issues by trial. For these reasons, summary judgment motions typically will be disfavored. The court may decline to consider individual summary judgment motions where it concludes that the issues may be resolved as expeditiously by trial as by motion.

(c) If upon the filing of a motion for summary judgment, the party against whom the motion is directed believes that summary judgment is inappropriate for the reasons set forth in (1)(b) above, that party shall immediately notify the court and arrange for a telephone conference between the court and counsel. The court will determine after the conference whether further briefing and proceedings are appropriate.

(2) Subject to the other provisions of this rule, summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and responses to requests for production, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.

(3) Any party filing a motion under this rule shall include in its brief a statement of uncontroverted facts, which shall set forth in full the specific facts on which the party relies in support of the motion. The specific facts shall be set forth in serial fashion and not in narrative form. As to each fact, the statement shall refer to a specific pleading, affidavit, or other document where the fact may be found. Any party opposing a motion filed under this rule shall include in their opposition a brief statement of genuine issues, setting forth the specific facts which the opposing party asserts establish a genuine issue of material fact precluding summary judgment in favor of the moving party.

(4) If the movant and the party opposing the motion agree that there is no genuine issue of any material fact, they shall jointly file a stipulation with the court setting forth a statement of stipulated facts. This stipulation shall be prepared and filed in lieu of the statements required by (3) of this rule.

(5) If either party desires a hearing on the motion, a request must be made in writing no later than the time specified for the filing of the last brief. The court will thereupon set a time and place for hearing. If no request for hearing is made, any right to hearing afforded by these rules will be deemed waived. The court may order a hearing on its own motion.

(6) If on motion under this rule judgment is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the relief asked and a trial is necessary, the court, by examining the pleadings and the evidence before it, and in its discretion, by interrogating counsel, shall if practicable ascertain what material facts exist without substantial controversy and what material facts are actually and in good faith controverted. It shall thereupon make an order specifying the facts that appear without substantial controversy, and directing such further proceedings in the action as are just. Upon the trial of the action the facts so specified shall be deemed established, and the trial shall be conducted accordingly.

(7) Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. Sworn or certified copies of all papers or parts thereof referred to in an affidavit shall be attached thereto or served therewith. The court may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions, answers to discovery, or further affidavits. When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the adverse party's pleading, but the adverse party's response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If the adverse party does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, may be entered against the adverse party.

(8) Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that the party cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify the party's opposition, the court may refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained or depositions to be taken or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.

(9) Should it appear to the satisfaction of the court at any time that any of the affidavits presented pursuant to this rule are presented in bad faith or solely for the purpose of delay, the court shall forthwith order the party employing them to pay to the other party the amount of the reasonable expenses which the filing of the affidavits caused the other party to incur, including reasonable attorney's fees, and any offending party or attorney may be adjudged guilty of contempt. (History: Sec. 2-4-201, MCA; IMP, Sec. 2-4-201, 39-71-2901, MCA; NEW, 1996 MAR p. 557, Eff. 2/23/96.)