STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Alaska Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Modify caption for District Court and ensure compliance with Administrative Rule 41 for time standards.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Notice of Motion ............................................................................................................ 3
3. Memorandum of Points and Authorities ....................................................................... 5
   3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 5
   3.2 Procedural Background ..................................................................................... 6
   3.3 Legal Standard ................................................................................................... 7
   3.4 Argument ............................................................................................................ 8
   3.4.1 Good Cause Under Alaska R. Civ. P. 40(e) ............................................ 8
   3.4.2 Balance of Prejudice and Diligence ....................................................... 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME] (AS 09.63.020) ..................................................... 11
5. [Proposed] Order Granting Continuance ..................................................................... 13
6. Certificate of Service ................................................................................................... 15

1. CAPTION

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA
[THIRD] JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT [ANCHORAGE]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Case No. [CASE NUMBER]
Judge: [JUDGE NAME]

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Hearing Date: [HEARING DATE]
Hearing Time: [HEARING TIME]
Location: [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS]

2. NOTICE OF MOTION

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that [MOVING PARTY], by and through counsel, will move this Court at the date and time set forth above, or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, for an order continuing the [trial/hearing] currently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE].

This motion is brought under Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 40(e) and any pertinent case management orders on the grounds that good cause exists to reset the current schedule due to [state reason such as "lead counsel’s conflicting trial in federal court," "unavailability of a critical expert witness," or "newly disclosed evidence requiring additional discovery"].

The motion is supported by the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities, the Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME], the records on file, and such additional argument as may be presented.

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: __________
[ATTORNEY NAME] (ABA No. [NUMBER])
Attorney for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Summarize the relief requested, length of continuance sought, and the core factual basis establishing good cause.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Outline procedural history, including scheduling orders, discovery status, mediation efforts, and any prior continuances.]

3.3 Legal Standard

Alaska Rule of Civil Procedure 40(e) authorizes the Court to grant a continuance when good cause is shown. In exercising discretion, courts consider whether the request is timely, whether the moving party acted diligently, the length of the continuance sought, prior continuances, and potential prejudice to the parties and the administration of justice. See State v. Wassilie, 606 P.2d 1279 (Alaska 1980) (noting the balancing of diligence and prejudice). The movant bears the burden of demonstrating facts that warrant relief.

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Under Alaska R. Civ. P. 40(e)

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed facts demonstrating the grounds for good cause. Include specific dates, efforts to resolve conflicts, and supporting documentation such as medical letters, expert availability statements, or scheduling notices.]

3.4.2 Balance of Prejudice and Diligence

[// GUIDANCE: Explain the steps taken to comply with existing deadlines, any partial completion of discovery, and the minimal prejudice to opposing parties. Address the impact on witnesses and the Court’s docket, and propose a realistic new schedule.]

3.5 Conclusion

For these reasons, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court continue the [trial/hearing] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or another date convenient to the Court and adjust related deadlines.

4. DECLARATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME] (AS 09.63.020)

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Alaska:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] in the above-captioned matter and have personal knowledge of the facts set forth herein.
2. The [trial/hearing] is presently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE].
3. A continuance is necessary because [describe detailed factual basis].
4. This request is made promptly after learning of the circumstances necessitating a continuance.
5. Counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] was contacted on [DATE]; [he/she/they] [consent/do not consent] to the requested relief. [Explain opposition if applicable.]
6. Granting the continuance will not cause undue prejudice and will promote a fair and efficient resolution of the case.

Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], Alaska.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. (AS 09.63.020.)

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING CONTINUANCE

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA
[THIRD] JUDICIAL DISTRICT AT [ANCHORAGE]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Upon consideration of [MOVING PARTY]'s Motion for Continuance, any opposition, and the record as a whole, the Court finds good cause under Alaska R. Civ. P. 40(e). It is therefore ORDERED:

1. The [trial/hearing] set for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME].
2. Related deadlines are adjusted as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motion deadline: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial filings: [DATE]
3. Counsel shall notify witnesses of the new dates and coordinate with the clerk regarding any additional scheduling issues.

DATED this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Superior Court Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE] a true copy of the foregoing was served on the following via [method, e.g., TrueFiling, email per Civil Rule 5.2, first-class mail]:

[List recipients]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]