STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(California Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Tailor this motion to the specific department (civil, limited/unlimited, complex) and county. Verify local rules for reservation, page limits, and timing.]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Caption ............................................................................................................................ 2
2. Notice of Motion and 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 Based on Counsel Availability ............................................. 8
   3.4.2 Need for Additional Time to Complete Discovery .................................. 9
   3.4.3 Prejudice Absent Continuance ............................................................... 10
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 11
4. Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................................... 12
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE ................................. 14
6. Proof of Service ............................................................................................................. 16

1. CAPTION

[SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF [COUNTY NAME]]
[// GUIDANCE: Follow Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.111 formatting requirements.]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

Case No.: [CASE NUMBER]

Assigned for All Purposes to: Hon. [JUDGE NAME], Dept. [DEPT]

Hearing Date: [HEARING DATE]
Hearing Time: [HEARING TIME]
Reservation ID: [RESERVATION NUMBER, IF APPLICABLE]
Complaint Filed: [FILING DATE]
Trial Date: [CURRENT TRIAL DATE]

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Date: [HEARING DATE]
Time: [HEARING TIME]
Dept.: [DEPT]

2. NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION

TO ALL PARTIES AND THEIR ATTORNEYS OF RECORD:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on [HEARING DATE] at [HEARING TIME], or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in Department [DEPT] of the above-entitled Court located at [COURTHOUSE ADDRESS], [MOVING PARTY] will and hereby does move the Court for an order continuing the [identify proceeding, e.g., "trial currently set for [CURRENT TRIAL DATE]"] to a date no earlier than [REQUESTED NEW DATE or "a date convenient to the Court"].

This motion is made pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 595.4 and California Rules of Court, rule 3.1332, on the grounds that good cause exists to continue the [trial/hearing] to permit [describe reason, e.g., "recent substitution of counsel," "critical witness unavailability," "ongoing settlement discussions"].

The motion is based on this Notice of Motion and Motion, the accompanying Memorandum of Points and Authorities, the Declaration of [ATTORNEY NAME], the pleadings and records on file in this action, and such further evidence and argument as may be presented at the hearing.

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______
[ATTORNEY NAME]
Attorneys for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise overview identifying the specific proceeding to be continued, the requested length of continuance, and the primary reasons supporting good cause.]

3.2 Procedural Background

[// GUIDANCE: Outline key procedural milestones, prior continuances, discovery status, dispositive motions, mediation efforts, and trial readiness.]

3.3 Legal Standard

California Rule of Court 3.1332(c) permits continuance of a trial or other proceeding only upon an affirmative showing of good cause. Factors that may indicate good cause include, among others, the unavailability of an essential witness, substitution of trial counsel necessitating additional preparation time, and the need to complete essential pretrial tasks. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule 3.1332(c)(1)-(7).) The Court retains broad discretion to consider all relevant circumstances, including the interests of justice and the diligence of the party seeking relief. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 595.4.)

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Based on Counsel Availability

[// GUIDANCE: Detail scheduling conflicts, medical issues, or substitution of counsel. Demonstrate diligence and attach supporting declarations or exhibits (e.g., trial calendars, engagement letters).]

3.4.2 Need for Additional Time to Complete Discovery

[// GUIDANCE: Identify outstanding discovery (depositions, expert disclosures, subpoenas) and explain why the tasks cannot be completed within the current schedule despite diligent efforts. Reference relevant case management orders or discovery cutoffs.]

3.4.3 Prejudice Absent Continuance

[// GUIDANCE: Explain how denial would prejudice the moving party (e.g., inability to present critical witness testimony) and emphasize lack of undue prejudice to opposing parties. Address any prior continuances and the proposed new schedule’s impact on the Court.]

3.5 Conclusion

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

4. DECLARATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], declare:

1. I am an attorney duly licensed to practice before all courts of the State of California and counsel of record for [PARTY]. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated herein and could competently testify thereto if called as a witness.
2. The [trial/hearing] is presently set for [CURRENT DATE].
3. Good cause exists for a continuance because [set forth detailed factual basis, including efforts to comply with existing deadlines, specific conflicts, health-related issues, or discovery needs].
4. This is the [first/second/etc.] request for a continuance of this matter. [If prior continuances exist, explain the circumstances and attach supporting orders.]
5. I have met and conferred with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY] on [DATE] regarding this request. [Opposing party] [does/does not] oppose the continuance. [If stipulated, attach stipulation.]
6. The requested continuance will not prejudice any party. [Provide supporting detail.]
7. I am informed and believe that the interests of justice are best served by granting additional time for [explain].

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], California.

[ATTORNEY NAME]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

[// GUIDANCE: Prepare a separate proposed order if required by local rules.]

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF [COUNTY NAME]
Case No. [CASE NUMBER]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

The Court, having considered the Motion for Continuance filed by [MOVING PARTY], the supporting papers, and good cause appearing, ORDERS as follows:

1. The [trial/hearing] currently set for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME] in Department [DEPT].
2. The associated pretrial deadlines are reset as follows:
   a. Final Status Conference: [DATE]
   b. Expert Disclosure Deadline: [DATE]
   c. Discovery Cutoff: [DATE]
   d. Motion in Limine Filing Deadline: [DATE]
3. The parties shall promptly notify any witnesses and experts of the new schedule.
4. All other dates remain as set unless modified by further order of the Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: ___ _____
Hon. [JUDGE NAME]
Judge of the Superior Court

6. PROOF OF SERVICE

[// GUIDANCE: Attach an appropriate proof of service (personal, mail, or electronic) compliant with Code Civ. Proc., § 1013 and Cal. Rules of Court, rule 2.251.]

I am over the age of 18 and not a party to this action. My business address is [FIRM ADDRESS]. On [DATE], I served the foregoing MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE on the interested parties in this action as follows:

[Describe service method(s) and recipient information]

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on [DATE] at [CITY], California.

[NAME OF DECLARANT]