The court may, of its own motion, postpone the trial, if at the time fixed for the trial the court is engaged in the trial of another action; or if, as provided in section 473 of this code, an amendment of the pleadings, or the allowance of time to make such amendment, or to plead, renders a postponement necessary.
§ 594a.Postponement of Trial If Court Engaged In Another Trial Or Proceeding
Title 8. Of the Trial and Judgment In Civil Actions · Chapter 3. Issues—The Mode of Trial and Postponements · Enacted 1933 · no amendments on record · Last verified July 28, 2026
In one sentenceSection 594a lets the court, on its own motion, postpone a trial when it is already engaged in another trial at the scheduled time, or when an amendment to the pleadings under § 473, or the time needed to make or respond to one, makes postponement necessary.
Full Text of § 594a
Plain-English Summary
Courtrooms have only so much bandwidth, and pleadings sometimes change late in a case. Section 594a lets the court postpone a trial on its own initiative in either of two situations: the court is already in the middle of trying another case at the time set for this one, or an amendment under § 473 — or the time needed to make that amendment or to plead in response to it — makes a postponement necessary.
Unlike several of the postponement provisions that follow it, this one doesn't require a motion from either party. It's the court managing its own calendar and the practical consequences of pleading amendments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a party have to ask for this postponement?
No. Section 594a lets the court postpone the trial of its own motion.
What situations justify this kind of postponement?
The court being engaged in the trial of another action at the time set for this trial, or the need for a pleading amendment under § 473 requiring more time.
How does this relate to the legislator postponement in § 595?
They're separate grounds — § 594a addresses court scheduling and pleading amendments, while § 595 addresses a party, attorney, or witness serving in the Legislature.
Amendment History
Added by Stats. 1933, Ch. 744.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
the Deering's California Codes Annotated / vLex. Enacted by the California Legislature.
Last verified July 28, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: court postpones trial own motion californiapostponement pleading amendment