Judge John Blanchard
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Adjournments
- Short extensions of response or reply time may be requested by emailing division staff; longer extensions or those affecting court deadlines or hearings require a motion.
- Requests to vacate or continue a hearing must include the other party's position (or a showing of reasonable attempt to contact) and a form of order.
Request must include
Communication
Chambers
Page & Word Limits1 rule
Discovery dispute briefing is limited to 3 pages, expandable to 6 pages upon a showing of good cause in exceptional cases.
The Court will consider expanding the briefing from three pages to six pages upon a showing of good cause in exceptional cases.
Discovery Motion
3 pages
Applies to: Attorney
Document Filing Requirements6 rules
Motions must include a separate good faith certificate showing the movant conferred or attempted to confer with the opposing party in person or by telephone, not merely by letter or email.
Good Faith Certificate: Please remember that when using the procedures under Rule 26(d), or many other Rules governing the filing of motions, resolution of disputes, or seeking of sanctions, the moving party is required to "attach to the motion a separate statement certifying and demonstrating that the movant has tried in good faith to resolve the issue by conferring with, or attempting to confer with – the party against whom the motion is directed. The consultation must be in person or by telephone and not merely by letter or email." Rule 7.1(h), Ariz.R.Civ.P.
Document Type
Motion
Filers must independently verify every citation and legal authority in AI-assisted filings; failure to do so may result in sanctions.
To reduce errors (and minimize the risk of sanctions), the Court EXPECTS filers to: 1. Always independently and carefully verify EVERY citation and legal authority using official or reliable legal sources. Again, the party using AI is responsible for any false citations.
Document Type
All Filings
Parties must submit a copy of each filed document to the division; the Clerk does not make copies.
It is the party's responsibility to make sure that a copy of each document filed is submitted to the division. The Clerk of Court does not make copies for the divisions.
Document Type
All Filings
Only one Motion for Summary Judgment per side is permitted without leave of court.
No more than ONE Motion for Summary Judgment per side without leave of court.
Document Type
Motion For Summary Judgment
Motions to withdraw filed within two weeks of a hearing must include a statement that opposing counsel or party was notified of the intent to withdraw.
Attorney requests to withdraw filed within two weeks of a hearing must include a statement that the moving attorney notified the opposing counsel or opposing party of his/her intent to withdraw.
Document Type
Motion To Withdraw
Lodging an electronic form of order with motions is strongly encouraged.
Forms of Order. Judge Blanchard handles most motions through eFile, so lodging an electronic form of order is strongly encouraged.
Document Type
Motion
Filing & Service rules
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Discovery and non-disclosure disputes raised for the first time after the Trial Setting Conference deadline will generally not be considered.
Untimely Discovery Disputes: The Court will generally not consider discovery disputes or non-disclosure disputes that are raised for the first time after the Trial Setting Conference deadline, except for disclosures occurring for the first time after the Trial Setting Conference Deadline.
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Pre-Motion Conference Requirements
Discovery disputes must first proceed under Ariz.R.Civ.P. 26(d) expedited procedure before filing Rule 26(c) protective order motions or Rule 37(a) motions to compel.
Discovery Disputes Generally: This Division requires strict compliance with Ariz.R.Civ.P. 26(d), the Expedited Procedure for Resolving Discovery and Disclosure Disputes. All disputes between parties that could be addressed in motions for protective order under Rule 26(c) or motions to compel discovery or disclosure under Rule 37(a) must first proceed pursuant to Rule 26(d).
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A trial date will not be set until ADR/mediation is complete, discovery is complete, and dispositive motions are resolved; otherwise the trial-setting conference must be vacated and reset.
The Court will not set a trial date until (1) the parties have completed their ADR or Mediation; AND (2) all discovery is completed; AND (3) any dispositive motions have been fully resolved. If all of these items are NOT complete prior to a trial-setting conference, the parties must seek to vacate and reset that conference to an appropriate date.
Page 1 | Evidentiary Hearings and Trials
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Short extensions of response or reply time may be requested by emailing division staff; longer extensions or those affecting court deadlines or hearings require a motion.
If a short extension of a response or reply time is granted, please email division staff. For longer extensions, or extensions that may affect court-ordered deadlines or hearings, please file a motion.
Page 1 | Motions and Orders
Requests to vacate or continue a hearing must include the other party's position (or a showing of reasonable attempt to contact) and a form of order.
Requests to vacate or continue a hearing must include the other parties' position or indicate that a reasonable attempt was made to contact the other party, and a form of order.
Page 1 | Evidentiary Hearings and Trials
Chambers Communication Rules
The Division can be contacted by email at CVJ17@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.
To email the Division, please use the Division email address: CVJ17@jbazmc.maricopa.gov. Carla Waymire is the Judicial Assistant and her email address is Carla.Waymire@jbazmc.maricopa.gov. Martha Fields is the Courtroom Assistant and her email address is martha.fields@jbzbmc.maricopa.gov.
Page 1 | Judicial Profile
Short extensions of response or reply time may be requested by emailing division staff.
If a short extension of a response or reply time is granted, please email division staff.
Page 1 | Motions and Orders