STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Alabama Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Adapt to District Court formatting for smaller civil matters. Confirm any county-specific docketing instructions.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Notice of Motion and Motion ......................................................................................... 3
3. Memorandum of Law ..................................................................................................... 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 Ala. R. Civ. P. 40(b) .................................................. 8
   3.4.2 Diligence and Lack of Prejudice ............................................................ 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Affidavit/Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................... 11
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certificate of Service ................................................................................................... 15

1. CAPTION

IN THE [CIRCUIT/DISTRICT] COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ALABAMA

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

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

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Date: [HEARING DATE]
Time: [HEARING TIME]
Courtroom: [COURTROOM]

2. NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION

TO: [OPPOSING COUNSEL AND/OR PARTY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS]

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on [HEARING DATE] at [HEARING TIME], or as soon thereafter as counsel may be heard, in Courtroom [COURTROOM] of the [COUNTY] County [CIRCUIT/DISTRICT] Court, [MOVING PARTY] will move for a continuance of the [identify proceeding] currently set for [CURRENT DATE].

This motion is made pursuant to Rule 40(b) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and any applicable local orders. Good cause exists because [state principal reason, e.g., "lead counsel has an unavoidable conflicting trial in [OTHER COUNTY]", "essential expert witness is unavailable due to medical emergency", "additional time is required to complete court-ordered mediation"].

This motion is supported by the accompanying Memorandum of Law, the Affidavit of [ATTORNEY NAME], the pleadings on file, and any evidence presented at the hearing.

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______
[ATTORNEY NAME] (ASB [BAR NUMBER])
Counsel for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a succinct summary of the procedural posture, the relief requested, and the grounds establishing good cause.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Detail significant events including scheduling orders, discovery milestones, mediation efforts, prior continuances, and the current trial setting.]

3.3 Legal Standard

Rule 40(b) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure authorizes the Court to continue any case "for good cause shown." Courts evaluate whether the moving party has demonstrated diligence, whether the requested delay is necessary for the fair administration of justice, and whether granting the continuance would prejudice the opposing party or impede the Court’s docket. Alabama appellate decisions emphasize that continuances remain within the sound discretion of the trial court and require a showing that denial would work substantial injustice. (See, e.g., Ex parte Driver, 258 So. 3d 323 (Ala. 2018).)

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Under Ala. R. Civ. P. 40(b)

[// GUIDANCE: Explain the specific facts establishing good cause, such as recently disclosed evidence, medical emergencies, counsel conflicts, or pending dispositive motions. Attach supporting documentation as exhibits.]

3.4.2 Diligence and Lack of Prejudice

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate that the moving party acted promptly upon learning of the need for a continuance and describe steps taken to mitigate delay. Address the absence of prejudice to the non-moving party and any joint stipulations.]

3.5 Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court continue the [trial/hearing] scheduled for [CURRENT DATE] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or a date convenient to the Court, and adjust related deadlines accordingly.

4. AFFIDAVIT/DECLARATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

STATE OF ALABAMA
COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared [ATTORNEY NAME], who being duly sworn, deposes and states:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] in the above-styled matter and am competent to testify to the matters set forth herein.
2. The [trial/hearing] in this action is presently set for [CURRENT DATE].
3. Good cause exists for a continuance because [provide detailed factual explanation, including relevant dates, conflicts, and supporting circumstances].
4. [Describe efforts undertaken to comply with current deadlines, e.g., discovery completed, depositions scheduled, mediation status.]
5. I consulted with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE]; [he/she/they] [do/do not] oppose this motion. [If opposed, summarize objections.]
6. This request is made in good faith, not for purposes of delay, and granting it will not unduly prejudice any party.

Further affiant saith not.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this ___ day of ____, 20__, by [ATTORNEY NAME], who is personally known to me or has produced [ID TYPE] as identification.

Notary Public, State of Alabama at Large
My Commission Expires: ____

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

IN THE [CIRCUIT/DISTRICT] COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ALABAMA

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Upon consideration of [MOVING PARTY]'s Motion for Continuance, the supporting materials, and any opposition, the Court finds good cause under Rule 40(b), Ala. R. Civ. P. It is therefore ORDERED:

1. The [trial/hearing] set for [CURRENT DATE] is CONTINUED to [NEW DATE] at [TIME] in Courtroom [COURTROOM].
2. The pretrial deadlines are amended as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Dispositive motion deadline: [DATE]
   c. Mediation deadline: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial filings (motions in limine, witness lists, exhibit lists): [DATE]
3. All parties shall promptly notify witnesses and update the Court regarding any further scheduling issues.

DONE and ORDERED this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
[CIRCUIT/DISTRICT] Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on [DATE], I served a copy of the foregoing MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE upon the following by [method(s) of service consistent with Ala. R. Civ. P. 5(b)]:

[Name and address/email of counsel or parties]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]