Harris County District Courts Adjournment & Extension Requirements

No continuances will be granted to move from a preferential setting except for death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate family member; witness unavailability is not grounds for a continuance.

That they understand that there will be no continuances granted to move from the preferential setting except for the death or serious illness of a party/lead counsel or an immediate member of her/his family (unavailability of a witness at the time of trial will not be grounds to continue a preferential setting); and

Any motion to continue a preferentially set case requires an oral hearing.

Any motion to continue a preferentially set case will require an oral hearing.

Once trial docket call occurs, continuances will only be granted for extraordinary circumstances.

NO CONTINUANCES WILL BE GRANTED after Docket Call and once or twice a case is assigned for the trial unless in extraordinary circumstances that could not have been anticipated by the parties.

Continuances after the third must show substantial need and must be set for an oral hearing whether agreed or opposed.

Continuations after the third continuance must demonstrate substantial need for a delay of the trial setting and must be set for oral hearing whether agreed or opposed.

All continuance or reset motions, whether agreed, unopposed or opposed, must state which number continuance is being filed (e.g., 'Plaintiff's First').

In addition, ALL continuance or reset motions (whether agreed, unopposed or opposed) MUST state what number continuance motion is being filed (i.e. "Plaintiff's First" or "Defendant's Second" or "Third Agreed Motion," etc.).

All continuance or reset motions must state which number continuance is being filed (e.g., 'Plaintiff's First' or 'Defendant's Second').

ALL continuance or reset motions (whether agreed, unopposed or opposed) MUST state what number continuance motion is being filed (i.e. "Plaintiff's First" or "Defendant's Second" or "Third Agreed Motion," etc.).

The Court will generally allow one continuance; a first or second request must be filed 24 hours before docket call, other requests require a hearing, and an reasonable explanation is required.

Generally, the Court will allow one timeliness continuance. First or second requests for continuance must be filed early but in any sense at least 24 hours before the docket call, and will be considered at or before the docket call. A hearing prior to the docket call will be required on any request for additional continuances after the first or second request thereafter. The Court requires a reasonable explanation that takes into account the current age and status of the case and whether opposing party is prejudiced by further delay.

First continuances are available for good cause or by agreement, and an agreed first continuance does not require a hearing unless the Court decides otherwise.

First continuances may be granted for good cause or upon agreement if a motion for continuance is filed sufficiently in advance of the trial setting. If agreed, first continuances will not require a hearing unless after considering the motion the Court deems one necessary.

Summary judgment hearings cannot be continued via email or phone; withdrawal requires a notice and proposed order, and resetting requires an affidavit or declaration explaining the need.

Hearings and submission settings for Motions for Summary Judgment cannot be passed via e-mail or phone call. If a party wishes to withdraw their pending motion for summary judgment and cancel the hearing, they must file a notice withdrawing the motion and a proposed order granting the withdrawal. If a party wishes to reset an oral hearing or submission setting on a Motion for Summary Judgment, they must file an affidavit or declaration indicating why the hearing needs to be moved.

When passing a hearing, call the court clerk and all parties as soon as possible.

When passing a hearing, call the court clerk and all parties as soon as possible.