The court on its own initiative may notice for hearing any motion, trial or proceeding which is pending before it by notice to all parties in conformance with these rules.
Rule 2.4.Setting hearings by court
Title I: General Administration · Last amended July 1, 2016 · Last verified July 14, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.4 lets a court set any pending motion, trial, or proceeding for hearing on its own initiative, as long as it gives every party proper notice.
Full Text of Rule 2.4
Amendment History
(Adopted March 1, 2016, effective July 1, 2016.)
Plain-English Summary
Rule 2.4 gives a court the power to move a case forward without waiting for a party to ask. If a motion, trial, or proceeding is already pending before the court, the court can notice it up for hearing on its own, rather than sitting idle until someone files a motion to set a hearing date.
The rule still requires the court to notify every party in conformance with the rest of the Rules of Civil Procedure, so no one is caught off guard by a hearing they didn't know was coming. In practice, this keeps a case from stalling because neither side pushes it forward, while preserving each party's right to adequate notice before anything gets decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a judge schedule a hearing without either side asking for one?
Yes, Rule 2.4 lets the court notice up for hearing any motion, trial, or proceeding already pending before it, on its own initiative.
Does the court still have to notify both sides before the hearing?
Yes, notice must go to all parties in conformance with the Rules of Civil Procedure.
What kinds of matters can a court set for hearing on its own?
Any motion, trial, or proceeding that is already pending before the court — the rule doesn't let a judge raise brand-new issues.
Why would a court use its own initiative to set a hearing?
To keep a case moving when neither party has requested a hearing date, rather than letting the matter sit unresolved.
Does this rule let a judge decide new claims that weren't raised by either party?
No, it only covers noticing up matters already pending before the court, not introducing new issues.
Source & verification. Rule text
are reproduced verbatim from the Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Idaho. Last verified July 14, 2026. ·
Official source
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