STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Arkansas Circuit Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Update captions for district, probate, or other divisions as necessary.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. 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 Ark. R. Civ. P. 40(b) ................................................ 8
   3.4.2 Diligence and Prejudice ......................................................................... 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Affidavit of [ATTORNEY NAME] .................................................................................... 11
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certificate of Service ................................................................................................... 15

1. CAPTION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ARKANSAS
[DIVISION]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

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

2. MOTION

[MOVING PARTY], by and through undersigned counsel, respectfully moves the Court to continue the [trial/hearing] presently set for [CURRENT DATE] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or a date convenient to the Court.

This motion is made pursuant to Arkansas Rule of Civil Procedure 40(b), which allows the Court to continue matters for good cause. Good cause exists because [state detailed reason—e.g., "lead counsel has a conflicting jury trial", "critical witness is unavailable due to health issues", "additional time is needed to complete expert discovery"].

Undersigned counsel certifies compliance with Ark. R. Civ. P. 7(b) and has conferred with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE]; [state position]. This request is supported by the accompanying Memorandum of Law and Affidavit of [ATTORNEY NAME].

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Ark. Bar No. [NUMBER])
Counsel for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Briefly summarize the relief requested and the principal grounds establishing good cause.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Describe case milestones, discovery status, prior continuances, and upcoming deadlines.]

3.3 Legal Standard

Rule 40(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure authorizes trial courts to continue proceedings "for good cause." Arkansas courts evaluate the diligence of the moving party, the reasons necessitating the continuance, and the potential prejudice to other parties or the Court’s docket. See Ford Motor Co. v. Harper, 353 Ark. 328, 338, 107 S.W.3d 168 (2003) (continuance decisions rest within the trial court’s broad discretion, guided by the interests of justice).

3.4 Argument

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

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed factual support—timelines, witness availability, scheduling conflicts, discovery needs, or health-related issues. Attach documentation as exhibits.]

3.4.2 Diligence and Prejudice

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate timely action, outline steps taken to comply with current deadlines, and explain why the requested continuance will not unduly prejudice other parties or the Court.]

3.5 Conclusion

For these reasons, [MOVING PARTY] requests that the Court grant a continuance of the [trial/hearing] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] and adjust all related deadlines accordingly.

4. AFFIDAVIT OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

STATE OF ARKANSAS
COUNTY OF [COUNTY]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], being duly sworn, state:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] and have personal knowledge of the matters set forth herein.
2. The [trial/hearing] is currently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE].
3. A continuance is necessary because [provide detailed factual explanation].
4. This request is made promptly after the circumstances necessitating additional time became known.
5. I conferred with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE]; [he/she/they] [do/do not] oppose the continuance. [If opposed, summarize objections.]
6. Granting the continuance will not unfairly prejudice any party and will promote the just resolution of this matter.

Further affiant sayeth not.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Notary Public
My Commission Expires: ____

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY, ARKANSAS
[DIVISION]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

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

1. The [trial/hearing] set for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME].
2. Related deadlines are reset as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motion deadline: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial filings: [DATE]
3. Counsel shall promptly advise all witnesses of the new schedule.

IT IS SO ORDERED this ___ day of ____, 20__.

Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Circuit Judge

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE], I served the foregoing MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE on the following via [method(s) compliant with Ark. R. Civ. P. 5(b)]:

[List recipients]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]