a Generally. A court, on application supported by affidavit showing sufficient cause, may issue an order requiring a person to show cause why the party applying for the order should not have the relief it requests in its application. The court must designate a date by which the person must respond, and may set a hearing on the application.
Rule 7.3.Orders to show cause.
Last verified July 1, 2026
In one sentenceRule 7.3 lets a court, on an affidavit showing sufficient cause, order a person to appear and explain why an applicant's requested relief should not be granted, and requires that order to be served like a summons unless the person has already appeared in the case.
Full Text of Rule 7.3
b Service. An order to show cause must be served in the same manner that a summons and pleading are served under Rule 4, 4.1, or 4.2, as applicable, or, if the person to whom the order is directed has entered an appearance in the action, in accordance with Rule 5. Service must be effected within such time as the court orders.
Amendment History
Promulgated by R-16-0010, effective January 1, 2017.
Plain-English Summary
An order to show cause starts with an application supported by an affidavit demonstrating sufficient cause for the relief requested. Once satisfied, the court sets a date by which the person must respond and may, though it need not, schedule a hearing on the application.
Because an order to show cause can be the first paper a person sees in a case, Rule 7.3 requires it to be served the same way a summons and complaint would be served under Rule 4, 4.1, or 4.2. If the person has already appeared in the action, ordinary service under Rule 5 is enough instead, and the court sets the time within which service must be completed either way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must support an application for an order to show cause?
An affidavit demonstrating sufficient cause for the relief the applicant is requesting.
How is an order to show cause served on someone new to a case?
The same way a summons and complaint are served, under Rule 4, 4.1, or 4.2.
Is a hearing always required on an order to show cause?
No, the court may set one but is not required to.
Source & verification. The rule text and History are reproduced verbatim from the
official Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure (Ariz. R. Civ. P. 7.3). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 1, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: order to show causeOSC