A motion for a continuance shall set forth the grounds upon which it is based, and if in writing shall comply with the provisions of Article 863.
Art. 1603.Motion For Continuance
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title V. Trial · Chapter 3. Continuance · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1603 requires a motion for continuance to state the grounds it rests on, and if the motion is in writing, to meet Article 863's requirements for signing and certifying pleadings.
Full Text of Art. 1603
Plain-English Summary
A motion for continuance has to spell out the grounds it relies on. That requirement ties directly back to Articles 1601 and 1602, letting the court and the opposing party evaluate whether the motion rests on discretionary good ground or on one of the mandatory grounds.
A written motion carries an added obligation: it has to comply with Article 863, the general pleading article governing signatures and certifications. That requirement holds a written continuance motion to the same accountability as any other pleading, discouraging conclusory or bad-faith requests for delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a motion for continuance say?
It must set forth the grounds on which the request is based.
Are there extra requirements if the continuance motion is in writing?
Yes. A written motion for continuance has to comply with Article 863's pleading signature and certification rules.
Can a continuance be requested orally in Louisiana?
Article 1603's cross-reference to Article 863 applies specifically to written motions, which distinguishes them from a request made orally in open court.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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