Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County Document Filing Requirements

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Motions must state the position of all parties.

Please provide the position of all parties in your Motion/s.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Motions must include a proposed order when applicable, and the order must be in WORD format.

All motions need to be submitted with a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A motion to extend a filing deadline and its proposed order must state the current deadline date and the requested new deadline date.

If you are filing a motion to extend a deadline for filing any pleading or other document, specifically state (1) the date of the current deadline and (2) the date to which you request the deadline to be extended. Your proposed form of order should contain the same information.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A request to appear telephonically at a hearing must be made by motion and include a proposed form of order.

If you would like to appear telephonically for a hearing, then file a motion requesting that relief, and provide us a proposed form of order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion requesting telephonic appearance must state the reason for the request.

Importantly, in the motion, state the reason for your request.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or stipulation

Must include

proposed order

Motions and stipulations must be filed with proposed orders, and the Court may reject a motion until an applicable proposed order is submitted.

ALL motions or stipulations shall be filed with proposed orders. If a proposed order is applicable to the motion, and it is not submitted with the motion, the Court reserves the right to reject your motion until it is accompanied by a proposed form of order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Evidentiary hearings and trials are presumptively in person; a party seeking virtual appearance or an entirely virtual hearing must file a motion detailing the basis for the request.

Evidentiary hearings and trials are presumptively in-person. If a party seeks to appear virtually, or request the entire hearing be conducted virtually, the party must file a motion with the Court detailing the basis for the request.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or stipulation

Must include

proposed order

File a proposed order with motions and stipulations.

Motions or stipulations shall be filed with proposed orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

R m c and pretrial prehearing statements

RMC and Pre-Trial/Pre-Hearing Statements are required.

RMC and Pre-Trial/Pre-Hearing Statements are required, because they are important to the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for leave to exceed page limit

A motion for leave to exceed a pleading’s page limit must give specific reasons; a generic request may be denied.

If you file a motion for leave to exceed the page length of a pleading, you will need to provide specific reasons. A generic statement that you need more pages may result in denial of your motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Hearing scheduling request

A written motion or stipulation is required to schedule, reschedule, or vacate a hearing.

The Court requires a written motion or stipulation to schedule, reschedule, or vacate hearings.

CRITICAL

Applies to

R m c and pretrial prehearing statements

Statements must identify prior settlements, issues still in dispute, and the parties’ current positions.

Your statements need to inform the Court of any prior settlements, the issues still in dispute, and the current positions being taken by the parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion must cite its authorizing rule or statute within its first two pages, and the court may deny a motion that does not.

The rule or statute authorizing supporting a motion shall be cited in the first two pages of a motion (i.e. "Plaintiff seeks summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56, Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure", or "Defendant seeks dismissal for failure to state a claim pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure"). The Court reserves the right to deny motions for failure to cite the applicable rule authorizing the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial setting minute entry

Parties and counsel must comply with the Trial Setting Minute Entry, including its exhibit-submission and court-reporter deadlines and requirements.

Parties and counsel are expected to read the Trial Setting Minute Entry and comply with all specifics set forth in that Minute Entry, including but not limited to deadlines for submitting exhibits, and for requesting and paying for a court reporter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

Litigants must submit a joint Pretrial Statement before trial or an evidentiary hearing.

All litigants are expected to submit JOINT Pretrial Statements before the trial/evidentiary hearing. This is required by the Rules and in my orders setting the case for the trial/evidentiary hearing.

CRITICAL

Filings must be self-contained and may not incorporate separate filings by reference; incorporated material will be disregarded.

Incorporation by reference is not allowed, and the incorporated document will be disregarded. Thompson Thrift Development v. Albertson, 2023 WL 7001798, ¶¶ 12-17 (App. 2023), All filings shall be fully self-contained and shall not “incorporate by reference” other separate filings for review and consideration as part of the pending filing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Supplemental briefing

Supplemental briefing may not be filed without leave of court.

No party should file supplemental briefing without leave of Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or stipulation

Must include

proposed order

When filing a motion or stipulation that requires an order, provide a proposed order in Word format when applicable.

If you file a motion or stipulation that requires an order, please provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format.

CRITICAL

The Rule 41(F) confidentiality admonition applies to all open teleconference hearings.

The Rule 41(F) admonition regarding confidentiality applies to all open hearings conducted via teleconference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Adoption hearing documents

For adoptions, attorneys must send necessary documents to the division before the hearing date.

For adoptions, Attorneys must send the necessary documents to the division prior to the hearing date.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A motion should begin or end by stating exactly what relief is requested and include a clear proposed form of order.

Please start or end your motion by telling me exactly what you are requesting, and include a clear proposed form of order.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management report

The parties must submit a Joint Case Management Report at least two working days before each Case Management Conference, covering the listed topics.

No less than two working days before each Case Management Conference, the parties shall submit a Joint Case Management Report. This report will inform the court of: 1. The specific progress made since the last Case Management Conference in completing activities previously established by the court and the parties; 2. Specific case preparation to be completed before the next Case Management Conference; 3. Witnesses who have been interviewed in the preceding month; 4. Witnesses who will be interviewed in the upcoming month; 5. Pending issues to be resolved.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A Motion for Complex Case Designation must be accompanied by a proposed order setting forth the factual findings supporting complex designation.

The motion shall be accompanied by a proposed form of order setting forth the factual findings supporting designating the case as complex.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Minute entry

A minute entry documenting a granted continuance should identify the requesting party and state the opposing party’s position, or, for a court-initiated continuance, the parties’ positions.

If a continuance is granted, a minute entry should also contain the following: a. The party who requested the continuance; b. A statement whether the opposing party opposed the continuance, stipulated to the continuance or took no position on the request for continuance; c. If the continuance is on the court’s own motion, a statement whether any of the parties opposed the continuance, agreed to the continuance or took no position on the continuance.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management plan

The parties must file a Joint Case Management Plan at least two working days before the first Scheduling Conference, addressing the listed case-management topics.

No less than two working days before the first Scheduling Conference, the state and defendant(s) shall file a Joint Case Management Plan expressly addressing the following issues: 1. Proposed trial date; 2. Length of trial and number of witnesses; 3. Final Trial Management Conference date; 4. Brief summary of alleged facts; 5. Discovery production schedule; 6. Witness interview schedule; 7. List of motions needing evidentiary hearing (length of hearing); 8. Schedule for filing motions, responses and replies; 9. Schedule for Motions in Limine; 10. Expert witness issues (dates for defense to disclose experts and opinions, if different date than called for in Rule 15); 11. Special investigative needs; 12. General status of plea negotiations; 13. Plea cut-off date; 14. Settlement conference date; 15. Interpretation, translation, and transcription needs; 16. Schedule of regular Case Management Conferences.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management report

The parties must file the Joint Case Management Report at least two working days before each Case Management Conference.

The parties shall file a Joint Case Management Report, as described in the Complex Case Designation & Case Management Order, at least 2 working days before each Case Management Conference.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

The parties must file a Joint Pretrial Statement at least two working days before the FTMC containing the listed information and attachments.

At least two working days before the FTMC, the parties shall file a Joint Pretrial Statement including the following information: 1. Charges, sentencing ranges (including any sentence enhancements alleged) and list of aggravating factors to be decided by the jury 2. Settlement status (to be discussed with trial judge) 3. Plea offer: 4. Settlement Conference occurred (Y/N): 5. Are Defendant and State willing to further discuss settlement? 6. Number of trial jurors and alternates: 7. List of witnesses to be called 8. Estimated trial days: 9. Brief statement of case to be read to jury (attach) 10. Special jury voir dire questions (attach) 11. List of Standard Jury Instructions, plus original and one copy of any special Jury Instructions (attach) 12. Other issues

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint pretrial statement

Parties must file a Joint Pretrial Statement at least two working days before the Final Trial Management Conference containing the specified information.

At least two working days before the FTMC, the parties shall file a Joint Pretrial Statement including the following information: 1. Charges, sentencing ranges (including any sentence enhancements alleged) and list of aggravating factors to be decided by the jury 2. Settlement status (to be discussed with trial judge) 3. Plea offer: 4. Settlement Conference occurred (Y/N): 5. Are Defendant and State willing to further discuss settlement? 6. Number of trial jurors and alternates: 7. List of witnesses to be called 8. Estimated trial days: 9. Brief statement of case to be read to jury (attach) 10. Special jury voir dire questions (attach) 11. List of Standard Jury Instructions, plus original and one copy of any special Jury Instructions (attach) 12. Other issues

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Joint case management report

The Joint Case Management Report must address progress since the last conference, upcoming case preparation, witnesses interviewed and to be interviewed, and pending issues.

This report will inform the court of: 1. The specific progress made since the last Case Management Conference in completing activities previously established by the court and the parties; 2. Specific case preparation to be completed before the next Case Management Conference; 3. Witnesses who have been interviewed in the preceding month; 4. Witnesses who will be interviewed in the upcoming month; 5. Pending issues to be resolved.

CRITICALCriminal cases

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A motion for complex case designation must include a proposed order stating the factual findings supporting designation.

The motion shall be accompanied by a proposed form of order setting forth the factual findings supporting designating the case as complex.

CRITICAL

Applies to

ASFA order

After a hearing with an ASFA finding, file a Notice of Lodging with ASFA; submit ASFA orders in Word format with the hearing date included.

• ASFAs: File a Notice of Lodging with ASFA after any hearing where the Court makes an ASFA finding. ASFA orders should be submitted in WORD format and include the date of the hearing in which there was an ASFA finding.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

When applicable, provide an order in Word format without a “proposed” heading or strikethrough, and submit it in final form.

• Provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format. Do not use the heading "proposed" in your order. Do not use strikethrough format for the Orders - they should be in final form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion requesting expedited consideration must identify that request in its heading and state the other side’s position after communication with them.

• If you are filing a Motion and requesting expedited consideration, please include that information in the heading of your Motion. In addition, communicate with the other side and place their position in your Motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Requests for expedited or emergency consideration should describe prior efforts to expedite and explain in detail why expedited treatment is appropriate and necessary.

If expedited or emergency consideration is requested for any motion, the request should (1) state what has already been done to attempt to expedite the matter (personal consultation with opposing counsel, email service on opposing party, etc.) and (2) explain in detail why expedited or emergency consideration is appropriate and necessary.

CRITICAL

Must include

proposed order

Provide a proposed order for every motion and stipulation; petitions require one only when requested.

Please always provide proposed orders for all motions and stipulations (not petitions unless requested).

CRITICAL

Must include

proposed order

When e-filing a motion or stipulation, lodge its proposed order separately in Word format; PDF or attached orders cannot be modified or signed in e-file.

If you are filing a motion or stipulation in e-file, please lodge a proposed order separately in Word format with your filing. Orders submitted in e-file in PDF format or orders attached to the motion/stipulation cannot be modified and/or signed in e-file.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit of financial information

File an AFI in cases involving spousal maintenance, child support, or attorney's fees, and update it if its information changes while the matter is pending.

If a case involves spousal maintenance, child support, or a request for attorney's fees, please always file an Affidavit of Financial Information (“AFI”), and file an updated AFI if any information contained on your original AFI changes while the matter is pending.

CRITICAL

Exchange exhibits and witness information with the other party 30 days before trial, including witness topics and contact information.

The rules require that you exchange any exhibits and witnesses with the other party 30 days before your trial. You must include what topics the witnesses are going to discuss, as well as contact information for them.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

A Motion for Temporary Orders Without Notice must include a proposed order.

If you are filing a Motion for Temporary Orders Without Notice, a proposed order must be provided.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Joint statement of discovery or disclosure dispute

Must include

certificate of conference

The joint discovery-dispute statement must contain a certificate of good-faith consultation and may not include exhibits.

The joint statement must not exceed three pages and must contain a certificate of good faith consultation. A letter or email to the opposing attorney threatening to file a discovery motion if he or she does not respond does not, without more, satisfy the personal consultation requirement under the rules. No exhibits shall be included with the summaries. If, after reviewing a summary, the Court determines that it needs additional documents, division staff will contact the attorneys.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Supplemental briefing

Supplemental briefing may not be filed without leave of Court.

No party should file supplemental briefing without leave of Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Lodge proposed orders in eFile as separate Word documents linked to the filing they accompany; the order need not include the word “Proposed.”

Proposed orders of any kind should be lodged in eFile as separate Word documents related to the filing they accompany; there is no need to include the word "Proposed" on the Word-format order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Joint statement

Must include

certificate of conference

The joint statement must include a Rule 9(c) good-faith consultation certificate and may include attachments needed to resolve the dispute.

The joint statement must include a Rule 9(c) good-faith consultation certificate and may include any attachments the counsel or parties believe are necessary for the Court to resolve the dispute.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Provide a proposed order when applicable.

Provide a proposed order, when applicable, in WORD format.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Each motion must state the requested relief and supporting factual and legal grounds, and include a proposed order or judgment.

Each motion must clearly state the relief being requested, the factual reasons and legal support for granting such relief and include a proposed form of order or judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response

Each response must identify the motion it addresses, and a separate response must be filed for each motion.

Similarly, each response must identify the motion being addressed and there must be a separate response filed for each motion being addressed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Must include

proposed order

Include proposed orders and self-addressed stamped envelopes with a motion.

Include proposed Orders with your Motion. Also include self addressed stamped envelopes.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A motion requesting expedited consideration must identify that request in its heading and state the other side’s position.

If you are filing a Motion and requesting expedited consideration, please include that information in the heading of your Motion. In addition, communicate with the other side and place their position in your Motion.