This is аn appeal from an order that dismissed plaintiffs’ action on the ground that it is based on an invalid judgment order. The judgment order in question, a default judgment dated January 20, 1974, awarded plaintiffs’ decedent, Victor A. Bennett, damages for injuries sustained in a collision against the driver of the other car. Subsequently, alleging that the driver wаs insolvent, plaintiffs’ decedent, later replaced by plaintiffs, brought this action upon the 1974 judgment against the driver’s insurer. See 8 V.S.A. § 4203(3). At a hearing in chambers on the later action, the superior court, acting sua spоnte, objected to the 1974 judgment on the ground that it was based on findings and conclusions signed by the presiding judge, but not by еither assistant judge. Acting on the court’s remarks, defendant made an oral motion to dismiss. The court granted thе motion, and this appeal followed. We reverse.
Under former practice, a judgment valid on its fаce could not be challenged by a demurrer.
Ferry
v.
Miltimore Elastic Steel Car Wheel Co.,
In this case, immediately before ruling on defendant’s motion to dismiss, the court took judicial notice of the contents of the file in the 1974 ease. This action is unchallenged here, and we do not pass on its propriety. By considering mаtter beyond the pleadings, however, the motion to dismiss was converted into one for summary judgment. V.R.C.P. 12(b); see 5 C. Wright & A. Miller, supra, § 1364, at 669-72.
As soon as a motion to dismiss is converted into a motion for summary judgment, it is incumbent upon the court to notify the рarties as to the changed status of the motion, and to give them a reasonable opportunity tо submit extra-pleading materials as permitted by V.R.C.P. 56(e). V.R.C.P. 12(b);
Costen
v.
Pauline’s Sportswear, Inc.,
*192 Because we hold that dismissal of plaintiffs’ case was premature, we now reach defendant’s cross-appeal. In Junе of 1977, defendant moved for summary judgment on the ground that the two conditions precedent to liability under its cоntract — notice of suit and the cooperation of its insured —were unfulfilled. Defendant cross-apрeals from the July 1977 order denying summary judgment.
In support of the motion, defendant filed an affidavit of its supervisor of Vermont claims. Paragraph 5 of this affidavit asserts that defendant first received notice of the action against its insured in April 1974 when it received process in this second action against it directly. Paragraрh 8 of this same affidavit, however, discloses that in 1973 defendant’s insured had been contacted several timеs by the defendant in connection with the accident. This apparent inconsistency in the affidavit counsels against granting summary judgment on the issue of notice. The possibility that there is an issue of fact as to notice, regardless of plaintiffs’ likelihood of success on this issue, mandates a full adjudication. Fonda v. Fay, supra.
On the issue of сooperation, summary judgment was likewise inappropriate. The affidavit stated that, “ [a] ccording to the records of the [defendant],” the insured had failed to cooperate with the defendant. Fоr a statement in an affidavit to be sufficient to support a motion for summary judgment, it must show personal knowledge of the material fact in issue. V.R.C.P. 56(c) and (e);
Johnson
v.
Fisher,
Reversed and remanded.
Motion for Reargument
Per Curiam. The defendant’s motion for reargument presents no point that has been overlooked or misapprеhended that would affect the result. V.R.A.P. 40. The affidavit in support of defendant’s motion for summary judgment, made in the trial court, alleged both lack of cooperation and failure to
*193
give timely notice of suit. It did not stаte or otherwise show that the affiant’s statements were made on personal knowledge as requirеd by V.R.C.P. 56(e).
Vermont Department of Social Welfare
v.
Berlin Development Associates,
Motion for reargument denied.
Notes
“If, on a motion asserting the defense numbered (6) to dismiss for failure of the pleading to state a clаim upon which relief can be granted, matters outside the pleading are presented to and not еxcluded by the court, the motion shall be treated as one for summary judgment and disposed of as provided in Rule 56, and all parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to present all material made pertinent to such a motion by Rule 56.” V.R.C.P. 12(b).