Rule 6. MOTIONS IN CIVIL ACTIONS · Last amended 1995 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 6.3 requires Georgia superior courts to decide most civil motions, including summary judgment motions, without an oral hearing, except motions for new trial and judgment notwithstanding the verdict, unless the court orders otherwise or a party timely files a written request for oral argument on a summary judgment motion.
Full Text of Rule 6.3
Text size
Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all motions in civil actions, including those for summary judgment, shall be decided by the court without oral hearing, except motions for new trial and motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
However, oral argument on a motion for summary judgment shall be permitted upon written request made in a separate pleading bearing the caption of the case and entitled "Request for Oral Hearing," and provided that such pleading is filed with the motion for summary judgment or filed not later than five (5) days after the time for response.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 6.3 sets a default that surprises some out-of-state lawyers: civil motions in Georgia superior court, including summary judgment motions, get decided on the papers, without oral argument, unless the court orders a hearing on its own. The only motions that always get a hearing regardless are motions for new trial and motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict — those the rule carves out entirely.
Summary judgment gets a middle path. A party who wants oral argument on a summary judgment motion can ask for it, but only through a specific mechanism: a separate pleading, captioned with the case name, titled “Request for Oral Hearing.” That request has to be filed with the motion itself, or no later than five days after the deadline for the response has passed. Miss that window, and the motion gets decided without argument, the same as any other civil motion under this rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do civil motions in Georgia superior court normally get an oral hearing?
No. Unless the court orders otherwise, motions in civil actions, including summary judgment motions, are decided without oral hearing.
Which motions always require a hearing?
Motions for new trial and motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
How does a party request oral argument on a summary judgment motion?
By filing a separate pleading bearing the case caption and titled “Request for Oral Hearing,” filed with the summary judgment motion or no later than five days after the time for response.
What happens if no Request for Oral Hearing is filed on a summary judgment motion?
The motion will be decided without oral argument, since oral argument on summary judgment is permitted only upon that written request.
Can a court hold a hearing on a motion other than new trial or judgment notwithstanding the verdict motions?
Yes. The rule lets the court order a hearing on any motion despite the general no-hearing default.
Amendment History
Amended May 7, 1987; amended effective November 9, 1995.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:georgia motion hearing rule superior courtUSCR 6.3 hearingrequest for oral hearing summary judgment georgiadoes georgia require oral argument on motionssummary judgment hearing request deadline georgia