STATE COURT MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

(Connecticut Superior Court – Template)

[// GUIDANCE: Modify for Housing or Family Division captioning conventions.]

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 Conn. Practice Book § 14-13 .................................... 8
   3.4.2 Diligence and Absence of Prejudice ..................................................... 9
   3.5 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 10
4. Affidavit/Certification of [ATTORNEY NAME] ............................................................. 11
5. [PROPOSED] ORDER ..................................................................................................... 13
6. Certification of Service ................................................................................................ 15

1. CAPTION

DOCKET NO.: [DOCKET NUMBER]
SUPERIOR COURT
JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF [DISTRICT] AT [LOCATION]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v.

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant.

MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE OF [TRIAL/HEARING]

Return Date: [RETURN DATE]
Current Hearing/Trial Date: [CURRENT DATE]

2. MOTION

[MOVING PARTY], by [his/her/its] undersigned counsel, respectfully moves for a continuance of the [trial/hearing] currently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE]. [MOVING PARTY] requests that the Court reset the matter for [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or such other date as the Court deems appropriate.

This motion is brought pursuant to Connecticut Practice Book § 14-13, which permits continuances for good cause shown, and in accordance with Practice Book § 17-47. Good cause exists because [describe detailed reasons, such as "lead counsel is engaged in another Superior Court trial", "critical witness is unavailable due to medical treatment", "additional discovery is required following recent disclosure"].

Pursuant to Practice Book § 11-10, undersigned counsel certifies that the required consultation with opposing counsel occurred on [DATE], and [opposing counsel] [consents/objects] to this request.

WHEREFORE, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court grant this motion and continue the [trial/hearing].

DATED: [DATE]
[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _______
[ATTORNEY NAME] (Juris No. [NUMBER])
Attorney for [PARTY]

3. MEMORANDUM OF LAW

3.1 Introduction

[// GUIDANCE: Provide a concise summary of the relief sought and the basis for the requested continuance.]

3.2 Procedural Background

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

3.3 Legal Standard

Practice Book § 14-13 authorizes the Superior Court to continue cases when good cause is shown. Factors considered include the diligence of the moving party, the reasons for the request, the length of the continuance sought, prior continuances, and the effect on the administration of justice. See State v. Beaulieu, 164 Conn. App. 543, 554 (2016) (trial courts possess broad discretion to grant continuances upon a showing of good cause). The Court also evaluates potential prejudice to the opposing party and compliance with scheduling orders issued pursuant to Practice Book §§ 14-7 and 23-67.

3.4 Argument

3.4.1 Good Cause Under Conn. Practice Book § 14-13

[// GUIDANCE: Provide detailed factual support demonstrating why good cause exists. Include timelines, scheduling conflicts, witness availability, or newly discovered evidence. Attach supporting exhibits.]

3.4.2 Diligence and Absence of Prejudice

[// GUIDANCE: Demonstrate the moving party’s diligence, describe efforts to mitigate delay, and explain why opposing parties will not be prejudiced. Address compliance with any case management orders.]

3.5 Conclusion

For the reasons stated above, [MOVING PARTY] respectfully requests that the Court grant the motion and continue the [trial/hearing] to [REQUESTED NEW DATE] or another date set by the Court.

4. AFFIDAVIT/CERTIFICATION OF [ATTORNEY NAME]

I, [ATTORNEY NAME], certify as follows:

1. I am counsel of record for [PARTY] in this matter.
2. The [trial/hearing] is presently scheduled for [CURRENT DATE].
3. A continuance is necessary because [state detailed facts supporting the request].
4. This motion is made promptly upon learning of the circumstances necessitating additional time.
5. On [DATE], I communicated with counsel for [OPPOSING PARTY], who [does/does not] consent to the relief requested.
6. The requested continuance is not sought for delay but to ensure a fair and efficient adjudication.

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

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

[ATTORNEY NAME]

5. [PROPOSED] ORDER

DOCKET NO.: [DOCKET NUMBER]

[PLAINTIFF NAME],
Plaintiff,

v. SUPERIOR COURT

[DEFENDANT NAME],
Defendant. JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF [DISTRICT]
AT [LOCATION]
[DATE]

[PROPOSED] ORDER ON MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE

The Court, having considered the Motion for Continuance filed by [MOVING PARTY], and good cause having been shown pursuant to Practice Book § 14-13, hereby ORDERS:

1. The [trial/hearing] scheduled for [CURRENT DATE] is continued to [NEW DATE] at [TIME].
2. Related pretrial deadlines are extended as follows:
   a. Discovery cutoff: [DATE]
   b. Expert disclosures: [DATE]
   c. Dispositive motions: [DATE]
   d. Pretrial conference: [DATE]
3. The Clerk shall issue updated notices to the parties.

BY THE COURT

[Judge’s Name], J.

6. CERTIFICATION OF SERVICE

This is to certify that a copy of the foregoing was or will be delivered electronically via the Judicial Branch E-Services system and by [additional method, if any] on [DATE] to:

[List recipients and contact information]

[NAME OF DECLARANT]