The assigned judge has the sole responsibility for setting hearings in all actions assigned to that judge, for the scheduling of all trials in such actions and for the publication of all necessary calendars in advance of trial dates. In scheduling actions for trial the assigned judge shall give consideration to the nature of the action, its complexity and the reasonable time requirements of the action for trial. It is the intendment of these rules that no matter be allowed to languish, and the assigned judge is responsible for the orderly movement and disposition of all assigned matters.
Rule 8.1.Scheduling Trials
Rule 8. CIVIL JURY TRIAL CALENDAR · Last amended 1997 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 8.1 places sole responsibility for scheduling hearings and trials, and publishing calendars in advance, on the assigned judge, who must weigh each action’s nature, complexity, and time needs and keep every case moving toward disposition rather than letting it sit.
Full Text of Rule 8.1
Plain-English Summary
Rule 8.1 puts one person in charge of moving a case toward trial: the assigned judge. Setting hearings, scheduling trials, and publishing calendars ahead of the trial date are the judge’s job alone, not something parties negotiate between themselves or delegate to court staff without the judge’s direction.
In deciding when a case is ready to be scheduled, the judge looks at what kind of action it is, how complicated it is, and how much time it realistically needs to get to trial. Behind that standard sits a clear policy: no case should be left to languish. The rule makes the assigned judge personally responsible for the orderly movement of every case on the docket, which is the backdrop against which the more specific calendar rules that follow — the ready list, the trial calendar, continuances — all operate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides when a case is scheduled for trial?
The assigned judge has sole responsibility for setting hearings and scheduling trials in actions assigned to that judge.
Can the parties agree between themselves to set the trial date?
No. Scheduling rests with the assigned judge, who considers the nature, complexity, and reasonable time requirements of the action.
What factors does the judge weigh in scheduling a trial?
The nature of the action, its complexity, and its reasonable time requirements for trial.
What is the judge’s overarching duty regarding case management?
To ensure no matter is allowed to languish and to be responsible for the orderly movement and disposition of all assigned matters.
Does Rule 8.1 cover hearings or only trials?
Both. It covers the setting of hearings, the scheduling of trials, and the publication of calendars in advance of trial dates.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 9, 1997.
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
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