RULE 1.460. MOTIONS TO CONTINUE TRIAL
(a) Generally. Motions to continue trial are disfavored and must be granted only for good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to: the unavailability of a party, counsel of record, or material witness; a scheduling conflict with another court proceeding in which a continuance has been denied or in which the matter is set for trial or evidentiary hearing; or other circumstances beyond the control of the movant. Good cause does not include lack of preparation by counsel, change of counsel, or voluntary absence of a party or witnesses.
(b) Motion; Requirements. A motion to continue trial must be in writing unless made at a trial and, except for good cause shown, must be signed by the named party requesting the continuance.
(c) Motion; Timing of Filing. A motion to continue trial must be filed promptly after the appearance of good cause to support such motion. Failure to promptly request a continuance may be a basis for denying the motion to continue.
(d) Motion; Contents. All motions for continuance, even if agreed, must state with specificity:
(1) the basis of the need for the continuance, including when the basis became known to the movant;
(2) whether the motion is opposed;
(3) the action and specific dates for the action that will enable the movant to be ready for trial by the proposed date, including, but not limited to, confirming the specific date any required participants such as third-party witnesses or experts are available; and
(4) the proposed date by which the case will be ready for trial and whether that date is agreed by all parties.
(e) Efforts to Avoid Continuances. To avoid continuances, trial courts should use all appropriate methods to address the issues causing delay, including requiring depositions to preserve testimony, allowing remote appearances, and resolving conflicts with other judges as provided in the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration.
(f) Good Cause; Burden of Proof. The movant bears the burden of showing good cause for a continuance. If the motion is based on the unavailability of a witness, the motion must show when it is believed the witness will be available.
(g) Dilatory Conduct. If a continuance is granted based on the dilatory conduct of an attorney or named party, the court may impose sanctions on the attorney, the party, or both.
(h) Order on Motion for Continuance. When ruling on a motion to continue, the court must state, either on the record or in a written order, the factual basis for the ruling. An order granting a motion to continue must either set a new trial period or set a case management conference. If the trial is continued, the new trial must be set for the earliest date practicable, given the needs of the case and resources of the court. The order must reflect what further activity will or will not be permitted.
Committee Notes
1980 Amendment. Subdivision (a), deleted by amendment, was initially adopted when trials were set at a docket sounding prescribed by statute. Even then, the rule was honored more in the breach than the observance. Trials are no longer uniformly set in that manner, and continuances are granted generally without reference to the rule. Under the revised rule, motions for continuance can be filed at any time that the need arises and need not be in writing if the parties are before the court.
1988 Amendment. The supreme court, by adopting Florida Rule of Judicial Administration 2.085(c), effective July 1, 1986, required all motions for continuance to be signed by the litigant requesting the continuance. The amendment conforms rule 1.460 to rule 2.085(c); but, by including an exception for good cause, it recognizes that circumstances justifying a continuance may excuse the signature of the party.
2024 Amendment. Rule 1.460 is amended to establish a uniform procedure and standard for motions to continue trial. Subdivision (a) is amended to set forth the standard of “good cause” for the granting of continuances. Subdivisions (c) and (d) are added to require detailed information in motions for continuance. Subdivision (e) is added to encourage courts to explore alternatives to granting continuances. Subdivision (f) is added to place the burden of proof on the movant. Subdivision (g) is added to authorize sanctions for dilatory conduct. Subdivision (h) is added to require the court to provide a factual basis for its ruling and to set a new trial date.
January 1, 2026 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure