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Rule 1-056.Summary judgment

Last amended August 1, 1989 · Last verified June 26, 2026

In one sentenceRule 1-056 allows summary judgment when the record shows no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and sets the supporting-fact and affidavit procedure.

Full Text of Rule 1-056

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A. For claimant. A party seeking to recover upon a claim, counterclaim or cross-claim or to obtain a declaratory judgment may move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in his favor upon all or any part thereof.
B. For defending party. A party against whom a claim, counterclaim or cross-claim is asserted or a declaratory judgment is sought may move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment as to all or any part thereof.
C. Grounds for motion. The judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, 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. A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages. If alternative grounds for summary judgment have been presented to the court, the order granting or denying the motion for summary judgment shall specify the grounds upon which the order is based.
D. Time; procedure.
(1) Motions for summary judgment will not be considered unless filed within a reasonable time prior to the date of trial to allow sufficient time for the opposing party to file a response and affidavits, depositions or other documentary evidence and to permit the court reasonable time to dispose of the motion.
(2) The moving party shall submit to the court a written memorandum containing a short, concise statement of the reasons in support of the motion with a list of authorities relied upon. A party opposing the motion shall, within fifteen (15) days after service of the motion, submit to the court a written memorandum containing a short, concise statement of the reasons in opposition to the motion with authorities. The moving party may, within fifteen (15) days after the service of such memorandum, submit a written reply memorandum. The memorandum in support of the motion shall set out a concise statement of all of the material facts as to which the moving party contends no genuine issue exists. The facts shall be numbered and shall refer with particularity to those portions of the record upon which the moving party relies. A memorandum in opposition to the motion shall contain a concise statement of the material facts as to which the party contends a genuine issue does exist. Each fact in dispute shall be numbered, shall refer with particularity to those portions of the record upon which the opposing party relies, and shall state the number of the moving party's fact that is disputed. All material facts set forth in the statement of the moving party shall be deemed admitted unless specifically controverted.
E. Form of affidavits; further testimony; defense required. 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 interrogatories 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 his pleading, but his 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 he does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against him.
F. When affidavits are unavailable. Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that he cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify his position, 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.
G. Affidavits made in bad faith. 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 him to incur, including reasonable attorney's fees, and any offending party or attorney may be adjudged guilty of contempt.
End

Rule History

[As amended, effective August 1, 1989.]

Plain-English Summary

This rule lets a case (or part of it) be decided without trial. Either a claimant or a defending party may move, with or without affidavits, for summary judgment on all or part of a claim. Judgment is rendered when the pleadings, discovery, and any affidavits show no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; the court may decide liability alone even if damages remain in dispute, and must specify the grounds when alternatives are presented.

The rule sets a clear procedure: the movant files a memorandum with a numbered statement of undisputed material facts referring to the record, the opponent has fifteen days to respond with its own numbered statement of disputed facts, and the movant may reply within fifteen days. Material facts not specifically controverted are deemed admitted. Affidavits must be on personal knowledge and admissible facts; an opponent cannot rest on mere allegations but must show specific facts for trial, and the court may allow more time when a party cannot yet present essential facts. Affidavits made in bad faith draw expenses and possible contempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is summary judgment granted?

When the pleadings, discovery, and any affidavits show there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

How long do I have to respond to a summary judgment motion?

Fifteen days after service of the motion to file a response memorandum; the moving party may reply within fifteen days after that.

What happens to facts I do not specifically dispute?

All material facts in the movant’s numbered statement are deemed admitted unless specifically controverted.

Source & verification. Rule text and Committee commentary reproduced verbatim from the New Mexico Rules of Civil Procedure for the District Courts (Rule 1-056 NMRA), published by the New Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of New Mexico. The plain-English summary is original and draws on the official annotations. Last verified June 26, 2026. · Official source
Also known as: summary judgmentMSJno genuine issue of material factjudgment as a matter of lawaffidavits