Judge Suzanne Nicholls
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Courtesy Copies
All filings
- 1 copy • Email • Upon Filing
Communication
Chambers
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements3 rules
Appropriate attire is required for all proceedings, including virtual hearings and conferences.
Appropriate attire is expected for all proceedings, including virtual hearings and conferences.
Forms of Orders must be submitted in WORD format, not PDF or other document types.
Forms of Orders should be submitted in WORD format, instead of pdf or other document type.
DOCX
Citations must follow ARCAP Rule 13(f): omit parallel citations and cite the official Arizona reporter volume, page, and paragraph.
This Division adheres to ARCAP Rule 13(f) regarding citation to case law and encourages counsel to save space by omitting parallel citations – citation to the volume, page number(s) and paragraph(s) of the official Arizona reporter, only, is sufficient.
Document Filing Requirements3 rules
A Form of Order must be lodged (not filed) with all motions.
You must submit (lodge – not file) a Form of Order with all motions.
Document Type
Motion
Virtual appearances require a motion explaining why a virtual appearance is necessary and why the Court should deviate from its in-person requirement.
Virtual appearances may be permitted after the proper filing of a motion requesting such an appearance if deemed appropriate by the given facts. Please provide information outlining why you believe a virtual appearance is necessary to explain why the Court should deviate from its in-person requirement.
Document Type
Motion
Documents required to be filed jointly must be filed jointly; a party may file separately and notify the Court if the opposing party fails to participate in good faith.
When a Rule requires a document to be filed jointly, or the Court so orders, the document must be filed jointly. If an opposing party fails to participate in the joint filing in good faith, a party may file the document separately and notify the Court of the opposing party's conduct or inaction that necessitated the separate filing.
Document Type
Joint Filing
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
The Division strongly prefers eFiling of motions and other pleadings through the Clerk of Court's eFiling system.
This Division has a strong preference for motions and other pleadings to be filed through the Clerk of Court's eFiling system.
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Filing Timing and Cure Windows
For emergency filings or when a hearing is within several days, email a copy of the pleading (with proof of filing) and any Form of Order to the Division to ensure timely review.
If you are filing a pleading that involves an issue that is an actual emergency or where there is a hearing in your case within the next several days, you must also email a copy of that pleading (with proof of filing), and including any Form of Order, to the Division to ensure that it is seen on time.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
When a Minute Entry or other Order directs a filing, the document must be filed by the required date.
When a Minute Entry or other Order directs the parties to file a document, the Court expects that the document will be filed by the required date.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Courtesy Copy Requirements
Copies of filings must be emailed to the Division and provided to the other party at the time of filing, along with the filing receipt.
Copies must be emailed to this Division and provided to the other party at the time of filing, along with copy of an eFiling or other filing receipt.
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Sealing & Redaction Procedures
Requests to file under seal must comply with ARCP 5.4(d-e), including lodging the request in paper form per 5.4(e)(2).
All requests to file a pleading or document under seal must comply with Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure 5.4, including, but not limited to Subsections (d-e). The Division requires compliance with 5.4(e)(2) regarding the lodging the request to file documents under seal being provided in paper form so the Court may properly consider the request.
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Filing Bundling Requirements
All motions, responses, replies, and other filings must be submitted individually; combining filings is prohibited and will not be accepted.
All motions, responses, replies and other filings must be submitted individually. Counsel shall not combine any motion with a responsive pleading. All motions are to be filed separately and designated as such. No filing will be accepted if filed in combination with another.
Page 1 | Motion Practice
Chambers Communication Rules
All written communications with the Court must copy the opposing party unless an exception allows ex parte communication.
All written communication with the Court, including email, must copy the opposing party unless a specific exception allows for ex parte communication.
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Contact the Division through Judicial Assistant Sydney Kowalski at 602-372-0901 or Sydney.Kowalski@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.
The main point of contact for the Division is my Judicial Assistant, Sydney Kowalski, at the Division phone number listed above. Sydney's email address is Sydney.Kowalski@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.
Page 1 | Judicial Profile