STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Arizona Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Adjust caption if filing in Justice Court; check eFileAZ formatting standards.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Motion and Request for Expedited Ruling .................................................................... 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 Ariz. R. Civ. P. 40(b) ............................................... 8
   3.4.2 Diligence and Prejudice Analysis ........................................................... 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................................... 11
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certificate of Service ................................................................................................... 15

1. CAPTION

ARIZONA SUPERIOR COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Case No. [CASE NUMBER]
Assigned to: Hon. [JUDGE NAME]

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Hearing Date: [HEARING DATE]
Time: [HEARING TIME]
Division: [DIVISION]

2. MOTION AND REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED RULING

[MOVING PARTY], through undersigned counsel, respectfully moves this Court for an order continuing the [trial/hearing] currently set for [CURRENT DATE] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or such other date as the Court deems appropriate.

This motion is brought pursuant to Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 40(b), which authorizes continuances for good cause, and Rule 7.1(a), governing motion practice. Good cause exists because [summarize primary grounds, such as "lead counsel has an unavoidable conflicting trial," "critical fact witness will be overseas," or "additional time is required to complete expert discovery"].

Because the current setting approaches, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests expedited consideration of this motion under Rule 7.1(h). Undersigned counsel has conferred with [opposing counsel] on [DATE]; [state whether opposition exists].

This motion is supported by the following Memorandum of Points and Authorities, the Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME], and any exhibits filed concurrently.

DATED this [DATE].
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: ________
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Bar No. [NUMBER])
Attorneys for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a brief overview of the relief requested and the factual circumstances necessitating a continuance.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Describe key case milestones, prior continuances, pending motions, discovery status, and any court orders relevant to scheduling.]

3.3 Legal Standard

Rule 40(b) of the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure allows the Court to continue a trial or hearing for good cause shown. In deciding whether to grant a continuance, the Court considers the diligence of the moving party, the reasons for the request, whether the continuance would prejudice other parties, and the effect on the Court’s calendar. See Findlay v. Lewis, 172 Ariz. 343, 345, 837 P.2d 145 (1992). The decision lies within the sound discretion of the Court, guided by the interests of justice.

3.4 Argument

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

[// GUIDANCE: Detail facts demonstrating good cause, including timelines, scheduling conflicts, discovery needs, or unforeseen circumstances. Attach supporting documentation where possible.]

3.4.2 Diligence and Prejudice Analysis

[// GUIDANCE: Address the efforts made to comply with existing deadlines, steps taken to mitigate delay, lack of prejudice to opposing parties, and any agreed-upon new dates.]

3.5 Conclusion

For the foregoing reasons, [MOVING PARTY] requests that the Court continue the [trial/hearing] set for [CURRENT DATE] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE], adjust corresponding deadlines, and grant such other relief as is just and proper.

4. DECLARATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], declare as follows:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] in this action and am familiar with the facts stated herein.
2. The [trial/hearing] is currently set for [CURRENT DATE].
3. Good cause exists for a continuance because [provide detailed factual explanation, including specific conflicts, expert availability, or pending discovery].
4. This request is made promptly upon learning of the circumstances necessitating additional time.
5. I conferred with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE], and [state whether the request is opposed or unopposed].
6. The requested continuance will not unduly prejudice any party and is sought to ensure a fair and efficient resolution.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed this [DATE] at [CITY], Arizona.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

ARIZONA SUPERIOR COURT, [COUNTY] COUNTY

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff, Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

The Court, having considered [MOVING PARTY]'s Motion for Continuance and good cause appearing pursuant to Ariz. R. Civ. P. 40(b), ORDERS:

1. The [trial/hearing] currently set for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME] in Division [DIVISION].
2. Corresponding deadlines are reset as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures/rebuttal: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motions: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial filings: [DATE]
3. The parties shall promptly notify the Court of any scheduling conflicts with the new dates.

DATED: ______

Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Judge of the Superior Court

6. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that on [DATE], I electronically filed the foregoing with the Clerk of the Court using AZTurboCourt/eFileAZ, which will send notice to all registered users, and served copies by [mail/email/personal service] upon:

[List recipients]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]